FM rebuffs island-building critics

China dismissed criticisms of its island-building activities in the South China Sea after media outlets reported that several Southeast Asian countries would issue a statement after the AESAN summit saying the ongoing construction work may "undermine peace, security and stability."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said during Monday's press conference in Beijing that China's stance on the South China Sea issue has been clear and long-standing and the construction work on the Nansha islands and  reefs is reasonable and lawful and does not target any country.

It's unjustifiable for a few countries to hype up the issue on  relevant the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit, Hong claimed.

"The Chinese side is firmly opposed to a few countries' oblique charges against China as well as the pursuit of their private ends at the expense of the overall China-ASEAN relations," Hong said.

ASEAN leaders met at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center on Monday for the opening of the 26th ASEAN Summit. According to AFP, a statement, yet to be publicly released, was prepared.

The statement will say that some ASEAN leaders have expressed concerns about the land reclamation projects being undertaken by China in the South China Sea, which have "eroded trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security and stability," according to the AFP report.

China has been firm in its efforts to maintain regional peace and stability and will continue to support solving South China Sea disputes through a "dual-track" approach and hopes related countries can work with China to protect regional peace and the China-ASEAN relationship, Hong added.

A dual-track approach is one in which disputes should be addressed by countries directly concerned through consultations and negotiation, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

When responding to comments saying that the Chinese government delayed drafting a code of conduct on the South China Sea, Hong said that the island under construction will be mainly used for civil purposes and that will increase the safety of navigation, fishing and ecological protection and different countries can benefit from the construction.

The Philippines on Sunday called on fellow members of ASEAN to "finally stand up" on the South China Sea issue.

Philippine Foreign Secretary warned his peers in a precursor meeting that China was poised to take "de facto control" of the strategic seaway.

But his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman brushed this aside saying ASEAN wants "to engage with China."