China is a big country that shoulders more international responsibilities and obligations, Hua said, noting that the country is conducting construction activities at a pace and with a scale befitting its international responsibilities and obligations in search and rescue, disaster prevention and mitigation, meteorological observation, ecological conservation, navigation safety and fishery services.
There has never been any issue with freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, nor will such an issue arise in the future, Hua said.
Hua said the right to freedom of navigation and the air should not be abused or infringe on the sovereignty, rights and security of littoral states, which are protected by international law.
Rather than affecting freedom of navigation, Hua said, the construction will contribute to joint responses to maritime challenges and safety of navigation in the South China Sea.
According to Hua, China and ASEAN countries have identified a "dual track" approach on the South China Sea, which calls for disputes to be resolved through negotiation and consultation between concerned parties and for China and ASEAN member states to work together to maintain peace and stability.
Hua said progress has been made in consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and the COC is meant to be a set of rules for China and countries in the region rather than rules set by outsiders.
