BEIJING, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Outsiders should respect rules and order set by countries in the South China Sea region in line with the international law, a Chinese spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks in response to U.S. President Barack Obama's remarks about maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
Speaking of the freedom of navigation frequently mentioned by the U.S.,Hua said the U.S. needs to clarify whether it means legitimate freedom of navigation enjoyed by all countries in the South China Sea in line with the international law, or the freedom to go anywhere exclusively enjoyed by U.S. military planes and vessels.
"If the U.S. means the former, China certainly supports such freedom, but if it means the latter, I believe the whole international community will disagree," Hua said.
Hua said China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reached a series of bilateral agreements and a regional consensus on addressing disputes through negotiations and consultations and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea region.
Read the full story at Xinhua