China slams U.S. provocation on South China Sea issue

China's Ministry of National Defense on Thursday refuted U.S. accusation that China's military drill in the South China Sea destabilizes the region, urging the U.S. to stop stirring up trouble as countries in the region are capable of handling issues regarding the waters.

The Chinese military recently conducted training exercises in the waters off the coast of the Xisha Islands. The Chinese side released the news on June 27, said ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang.

"This is a routine arrangement in the annual training plan, and its purpose is to effectively enhance the maritime defense capabilities of the Chinese army, resolutely defend national sovereignty and security and maintain regional peace and stability," he said.

Ren said the training does not target any specific country.

"The U.S. Defense Department ignores the facts, provokes regional relations and attempts to take advantage from it. We express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this," he said.

Rain clouds loom over the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as it is anchored off Manila Bay, the Philippines, August 7, 2019. /AP

Regarding situation in the South China Sea, the spokesperson said it is stable on the whole as a result of concerted efforts between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states in recent years, adding progress has been made in various fields.

According to Ren, China is a firm defender and practitioner of international law and has always been committed to developing friendly and cooperative partnership with countries in the region and safeguarding regional peace, stability and order.

We urge the U.S. to play a positive and constructive role in international and regional affairs, added Ren.

To safeguard peace and stability in the region, China and ASEAN members are negotiating on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.

China proposed a three-year timeline, which outlines the road map of properly handling differences and reaching consensus through consultation.

The COC in the South China Sea, recognized as an upgraded and strengthened version of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed by China and ASEAN countries in 2002, outlines the most important principles in the management of disputes on the South China Sea.

Launched by the two sides in 2013, consultations for the COC is expected to be completed by 2020.