BEIJING — Beijing sought to soothe tensions over its South China Sea claims Saturday, saying it will avoid the use of force in the region as the US ponders sending warships close to territory claimed by the Asian giant.
Speaking at the Xiangshan regional defense forum in Beijing, Fan Changlong, vice-chair of China's Central Military Commission, pledged that the country would "never recklessly resort to the use of force, even on issues bearing on sovereignty".
"We have done our utmost to avoid unexpected conflicts," he added.
The US says that China's transformation of South China Sea reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military facilities presents a threat to freedom of navigation, and defense officials have hinted they may soon use naval forces to test Chinese claims.
But Fan said that the projects were mainly intended for civilian use and "will not affect freedom of navigation in the South China Sea".
"Instead, they will enable us to provide better public services to aid navigation and production in the South China Sea."
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