China"s foreign ministry said on Friday that the country does not intend to pursue militarization of the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. It also criticized U.S. air and naval patrols in the region. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks in response to the US accusation that China raised tensions in the region by deploying surface-to-air missiles on Yongxing island. "The current situation is that, the United States constantly increases its military force in South China Sea, frequently sends out military vessels or planes to the South China Sea to carry out high-frequency close-up military reconnaissance, and sends out guided missile destroyers and strategic bombers to the Nansha Islands and its nearby sea and air space. It also allures and presses its allies and partners to carry out joint military drills in the South China Sea." U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby has said that commercial satellite imagery suggested "very recent" placement of missiles on Yongxing Island that goes against China"s pledge not to militarize the South China Sea. Hong Lei reiterated that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters, and that China is serious about its commitment not to pursue militarization of the region. Hong said that demilitarization requires countries concerned about the future of the region to work together. He added that Yongxing Island, the largest island in the Xisha Islands group in the South China Sea, is an inherent part of China"s territory. In 1959, the Chinese government set up an administrative office and government facilities on Yongxing Island. He urged the U.S. side to learn the basic facts about the South China Sea before commenting on the issue. |
