TaiShang
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The Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Cui Tiankai, has said that construction work in the South China Sea is being carried out to provide public goods for passing ships and serve the interest of maintaining security, stability and freedom of navigation.
The ambassador’s remarks came after a set of images showed that China was building a runway on the Nansha Islands.
Speaking at a meeting organized by a Chinese government think tank in Washington on Thursday, Cui dismissed the concerns regarding China’s growing presence in the region.
“China always hopes to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, because it is China’s doorstep and no one wants a recurrence of disturbance,” he said.
The ambassador’s comment also came in the wake of the G7 declaration on Wednesday, as the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan called for a code of conduct, particularly between China and its neighbors, in the disputed South China Sea.
Beijing has been seeking bilateral and multilateral negotiations to resolve the disputes in the South China Sea, while its neighbors, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, have insisted on arbitration by an international court.
Responding to the G7 statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Friday urged other countries to take conducive measures to approach the maritime disputes.
He defended the recent construction in the waters, saying it was reasonable and legal for China to build an airstrip in its own territory. He reiterated that China was ready to work with other countries to resolve disputes through negotiations.
CCTV
The ambassador’s remarks came after a set of images showed that China was building a runway on the Nansha Islands.
Speaking at a meeting organized by a Chinese government think tank in Washington on Thursday, Cui dismissed the concerns regarding China’s growing presence in the region.
“China always hopes to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, because it is China’s doorstep and no one wants a recurrence of disturbance,” he said.
The ambassador’s comment also came in the wake of the G7 declaration on Wednesday, as the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan called for a code of conduct, particularly between China and its neighbors, in the disputed South China Sea.
Beijing has been seeking bilateral and multilateral negotiations to resolve the disputes in the South China Sea, while its neighbors, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, have insisted on arbitration by an international court.
Responding to the G7 statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Friday urged other countries to take conducive measures to approach the maritime disputes.
He defended the recent construction in the waters, saying it was reasonable and legal for China to build an airstrip in its own territory. He reiterated that China was ready to work with other countries to resolve disputes through negotiations.
CCTV
