BEIJING - China respects freedom of navigation and flights over the South China Sea but resolutely opposes taking it as a pretext to conduct provocative moves in this area, a spokesperson for the Chinese military said Thursday.
Chinese research ship Haiyang Dizhi 9, or Ocean Geology No 9, left the port of Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, East China's Shandong province, on Monday, for a voyage to East China Sea, South China Sea and the western Pacific Ocean.
That a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday that a visit by British Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond is welcome sends a positive message about the country's willingness to have sound relations with the United Kingdom.
Thailand on Saturday noted with appreciation China's vision to conclude negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea within three years.
Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai held here Saturday strategic consultations and exchanged in-depth views on the South China Sea issue.
Beijing on Thursday criticized Washington for creating an excuse to increase military deployment in the Asia-Pacific region by playing up China's so-called militarization of the South China Sea.
Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, has stressed building a strong and modernized maritime law enforcement force.
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