Chinese civilian aircraft conducted successful test flights to a newly built airport on Yongshu Jiao of the Nansha Islands last week. Some argue that this is a turning point in China's presence in the South China Sea. They conjecture that instead of being defensive, Beijing is now accumulating asymmetric advantages in the South China Sea disputes.

The above argument has ignored the core purpose of China's activities in relevant waters. By carrying out construction works on Yongshu Jiao and other Nansha Islands, Beijing is not strengthening its advantages against other South China Sea claimants. Instead, Beijing is demonstrating its capabilities and will in safeguarding its sovereignty and interests in the region.

Given the disparities between China and other South China Sea countries in national strength, the result would have no suspense if China resolved the disputes by military means. Regarding the disputes over the Huangyan Islands and Ren'ai Jiao, China has an advantage over the Philippines and Vietnam in national strength. The widening gaps between Beijing and other South China Sea claimants will not mean qualitative changes.

China's strengthening its advantages will not intensify tensions in the region. In the past few years, Beijing's military clout has grown. The military gaps between China and its neighboring countries, for instance, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Pakistan and Kazakhstan, are widening. Yet, instead of regarding Beijing as a threat, these nations have strengthened cooperation with China. This demonstrates that China has no aggressive strategic purpose.

While safeguarding its interests over the South China Sea, Beijing is striving to improve cooperation with Southeast Asian countries. For instance, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the "One Belt, One Road" initiative are aiding connectivity in the region. There is no doubt that China's foreign policies are peaceful in nature.

Compared with some other countries, which interfere in the domestic affairs of Syria and Iraq, Beijing has exerted restraint over the issues concerning its vital self-interests.  Despite its outstanding advantages, China has no intention to capture the islands that are under the actual control of other countries, for instance, the Philippines and Vietnam.

China's restraint has been purposefully ignored in international public opinion. In contrast, Beijing's construction work on the islands, which is within China's sovereignty, has been demonized by Western media as aggressive and threatening to regional stability. There is no denying that Beijing has been treated unfairly.

Speaking of Washington's patrolling over the South China Sea, does freedom of navigation have to be realized by frequently dispatching warships to harass the Chinese islands? Other smaller nations, for instance, South Korea, Indonesia and New Zealand, do not worry about their freedom to navigate in the South China Sea. There is no need for the US, as a world superpower, to be too concerned about this issue. From the perspective of Beijing, Washington has other motives in sending warships to the region.

China's construction work is nearly completed. The runway on the Yongshu Jiao has already been put in use. These activities are all within China's sovereignty. The US can do nothing to undo China's efforts. Washington will be disappointed if it is attempting to pressure Beijing to give in over the South China Sea disputes. It is impossible for China to surrender.

If the US wants to instigate more regional countries to stir up troubles in the South China Sea, the results may not be what some US hawks expect. Instead, they will only make China more skilled in responding to such provocations. China will demonstrate its capabilities and determination to avoid being underestimated and will act to strengthen its presence on the South China Sea islands and reefs.

China, the US and other South China Sea nations should explore effective ways to keep potential crisis under control, so that the interests of all the concerned sides can be balanced. Any lose-lose result should be avoided.

The author is a professor at the Guangdong Research Institute for International Strategies. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn