Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

China's maritime law enforcement measures are aimed at safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and are justified and beyond reproach, said a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to recent remarks on the South China Sea by US Admiral John Aquilino. The spokesperson pointed out that the recent heightened tensions in the South China Sea have a lot to do with US meddling.

The spokesperson's remarks came after Aquilino, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said China's actions in the South China Sea are dangerous and illegal, and that they are "destabilizing the region."

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a Wednesday briefing that the Nansha Qundao are an inherent part of China's territory. If the US truly wants peace and stability in the South China Sea, it should stop fueling the tensions, forming gangs and inciting confrontation, Mao noted.

At a regular White House briefing on Tuesday to preview the summits between leaders of the US, Japan and the Philippines, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that more joint patrols can be expected in the South China Sea after drills by the US, Australia, the Philippines and Japan last weekend. Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. said he will discuss an agreement with leaders of Japan and the US to maintain security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, according to media report.

"There is no issue with regard to the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea," Mao said in response, adding that peace and stability in the South China Sea have been generally maintained under the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries.

Mao said countries outside the region, led by the US, have been cobbling together small groupings in the South China Sea. They have been stoking confrontation in the name of cooperation, flexing muscles in the name of peace, and sowing chaos in the name of order. This is no doubt an act of hegemonism.

"No external interference will deter China from defending our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," said Mao.