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| China's reclamation in the Spratlys, Gaven Reef, April 12, 2015. (Armed Forces of the Philippines) |
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday reaffirmed that China's construction in the South China Sea is within China's sovereign rights and its activities are lawful, reasonable and justified.
Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks after US defense secretary Ash Carter on Wednesday called for an immediate end to island-building by China and other countries near the South China Sea, urging participants to stop militarizing the dispute and find a peaceful solution.
Carter said China's island-building efforts were "out of step" with the regional consensus. "We will remain the principal security power in the Asia-Pacific for decades to come," said Carter.
Hua said some countries have carried out illegal construction activities within China's territory in the South China Sea, but the United States has selectively failed to speak about it.
Read the full story at Want China Times