China plans to dig deeper underground to tap into more resources. (Photo : Reuters)
China is calling for all the relevant countries on the territorial issue of the South China Sea to work together instead of grappling about ownership and freedom of navigation.
A senior Chinese military officer said that there should not be conflict regarding navigation of the sea and claimed that Chinese construction activities on the islands and reefs are more beneficial for all than conflict-provoking.
According to deputy chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army Admiral Sun Jianguo, relevant countries on the issue of the South China Sea ownership should just cooperate with China.
Moreover, instead of feeling threatened by Chinese construction activities on the islands and reefs of the South China Sea, the countries should view these positively.
"China has carried out construction on some islands and reefs in the South China Sea mainly for the purpose of improving the functions of the relevant islands and reefs and the working and living conditions of personnel stationed there," he said.
The official also asserted that with these construction projects, China would be able to carry out its international responsibilities and duties better, particularly in the areas of maritime search and rescue, disaster management, environmental protection, and more others that would benefit the world and not China alone.
"I want to reaffirm that these construction projects fall well within the scope of China's sovereignty and are legitimate, justified and reasonable. They do not target any other countries or affect the freedom of navigation," he explained.
Despite clarifying China's purposes behind the construction projects, the military official said that the country's claims over these waters remain the same.
However, he asserted again that China is not being an aggressor to the relevant countries on the dispute.
"There are no changes in China's claims in the South China Sea, no changes in China's position on peaceful resolution of the relevant disputes through negotiation and consultation," Sun added.
