Beijing condemned the United States and Japan for their ongoing interference in the situation in the South China Sea. The corresponding statement was made by the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the PRC Zhang Xiaogan, whose words are quoted by the Chinese news agency “Sinhua”.
“China holds the position that defense cooperation between countries should not be directed against any third party or undermine the regional world and stability,” the official representative emphasized, commenting on the military assistance of the Philippines from Washington in the amount of $ 500 million and recent joint joints Military exercises of Japan and Philippines.
He noted that China has an indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao (islands of the South China Sea) and the adjacent waters.
“We will decisively take legal response measures against deliberate attacks and provocations to protect our territorial sovereignty, marine rights and interests,” said the official representative of the defense department of China.
Territorial disputes around the South China Sea
The South China Sea remains the subject of territorial disputes since the coastal countries have gained independence after the Second World War.
China declares its sovereignty over 80 percent of the water area of the South China Sea in accordance with a map, first published in 1947. Coastal neighboring countries, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia, also claim the rights in the region.