By Patricia Lourdes Viray
MANILA, Philippines — China reminded the United States to stop taking sides on issues of sovereignty in the region following the statement of US Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson.
Tillerson, US President-elect Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state, said that the US should send China a clear signal that "first, the island-building stops and second, your access to those islands is also not going to be allowed."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said that, like the US, China has full right to conduct any activity within its own territory.
Lu added that China and other claimant states in the South China Sea have worked on resolving disputes through consultation and negotiation.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries jointly maintain peace and stability in the region, Lu said.
Read the full story at The Philippine Star