China on Thursday urged relevant parties to stop stirring up trouble in regards to the South China Sea issue and respect the efforts of China and ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability in this region.
Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hua Chunying made the remarks at a regular press conference, in response to claims by a U.S. official that China is "militarizing" the South China Sea.
Chinese "militarization" of the South China Sea has prompted the U.S. to begin discussing the possibility of relocating US forces and opening bases in the region, said Admiral Philip Davidson, chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, on Tuesday.
Hua dismissed Davidson's remarks as excuses made by the U.S. side to increase its military deployment in the region.
China hopes relevant parties will respect the positive efforts of China and ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea region, instead of making trouble and waves, said Hua.
China calls on the relevant parties to jointly play a constructive role in peace and stability in the South China Sea region, Hua added.
