PLA stands firm over South China Sea disputes

The People's Liberation Army is committed to protecting China's maritime rights in the South China Sea. It is also committed to building trust and improving communication in dealing with security threats at sea. These remarks were made by a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense on Thursday.

Maritime conflicts, now a more common scene, in the South China Sea. The PLA Army has intensified routine patrols in the troubled waters. The military has re-iterated China's position in the disputes.

"The current tensions are a result of provocative behavior by some countries. It's in the common interests to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. China has always proposed to resolve the disputes with the relevant countries involved, on the basis of respecting history and international laws. If any country intends to continue to create confrontations, they will take full responsibility and face consequences," Ministry Of National Defense spokesman Yang Yujun said.

Tensions have been on the rise in the South China Sea, as more countries have become involved in maritime disputes. During the Shangri-la Dialogue, both the US and Japan attacked China for being aggressive in claiming its sovereignty. China rejected that claim, arguing that it is the other countries that have disturbed the waters in the region.

The Philippines has put the disputes to an international tribunal, and smeared China for building military facilities on some islands. The military said the Philippines' accusations are unreasonable.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha islands and their adjacent waters. Beginning in the 1970s, the Philippines violated the UN charter and norms, illegally occupying Zhong Ye Island and other islands in the South China Sea. At the end of last year, the Philippines announced that it would build military facilities on ZhongYe Island. We strongly oppose such actions," Yang said.

Despite all these rows, the PLA says it is committed to regional peace. And taking part in the ongoing RIMPAC naval exercises along with over 20 navies, is exactly the improved state of communications that the PLA hopes to achieve.

"Joining this exercise is conducive to deepening professional exchange and practical cooperation among the Chinese and other participating navies, and improving our capability in dealing with multiple security threats," Yang said.

Despite increasing frictions over maritime rights in the South China Sea, China says that it still adheres to the policy of "shelving disputes and carrying out joint development" through peaceful resolution. But it also stressed that it will never compromise national interests to any kind of threats or outside pressures. The PLA's latest statements for protecting sovereignty, has reinforced China's stance for the long standing disputes in the South China Sea.