November 23, 2015•Update: November 27, 2015
BEIJING
A Chinese official has defended his country's construction of military and civilian facilities on islands South China Sea whose ownership is hotly contested.
On Monday, state news agency Xinhua quoted Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin as saying in a press conference on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia that the building work would continue -- and that it did not represent a militarization of the area.
"To build necessary military defense facilities on islands far away from our mainland is both required by the national defense need and the need to safeguard our islands and reefs," Liu said.
"They should not be mistaken for the militarization of the South China Sea."
He added that 42 islands and reefs claimed by China have been illegally occupied by three of its neighbors.
The country claims the majority of the South China Sea, but its claims are contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.
All -- bar Brunei -- have stationed troops in their territories in the vast area, said to be sitting atop huge oil and gas deposits.
China's reclamation work, which includes the building of airfields on some of the disputed islands, has stirred global controversy and caused tensions in the region.
In October, U.S. navy reportedly conducted "freedom of navigation" operations in the waters, patrolling within 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) of the Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands.
"Some major countries outside the region are exercising their so-called freedom of navigation by sending airplanes and warships while strengthening military cooperation with countries in the region. Is that a trend of militarization?" Liu added.
"Don’t make trouble on purpose."
