Chinese army to safeguard national marine rights

Chinese armed forces will closely work with fishery and maritime supervision agencies to jointly safeguard national marine rights and interests, a Defense Ministry spokesman said here Thursday.

Spokesman Geng Yansheng made the remarks at a monthly press briefing of the Defense Ministry.

Noting that China's stance on the South China Sea is consistent and clear, Geng said the Chinese army shoulders the responsibility of defending national territory sovereignty and safeguarding marine rights and interests.

"Chinese armed forces have persisted in implementing their mission under the unified deployment of the nation," he said, adding the army will, according to its tasks and responsibilities, make joint efforts with fishery and maritime supervision departments in safeguarding national marine rights and interests.

At a routine press briefing Thursday afternoon, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin reiterated that the Huangyan Island is an inherent part of the Chinese territory and China's sovereignty over the island does not require international arbitration.