China will respond to provocation: FM spokesman

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday China will not hesitate to respond to provocations infringing China's sovereignty or that undermining maritime peace and stability. Spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a regular press briefing when he was asked to comment on the G7 summit's latest communique expressing concern over the East and South China Sea. Hong said China has always been a steadfast force in maintaining peace and stability in the East and South China Sea as well as in safeguarding the United Nations charter, basic codes of international relations and fundamental principles of international law, noting that China hopes there is no instability in surrounding areas, including the East and South China Sea. China has firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and national security, maintains order and navigation freedom in its water area and airspace, according to relevant international law and conventions, Hong said. China has committed to resolving disputes regarding the East and South China Sea through bilateral negotiation and discussions with directly concerned parties, which is also important consensus reached between China and relevant countries and conforms to the peoples' interests in the majority countries in the region, he added. Practices have proven negotiation and discussions among directly concerned parties are the most effective way for resolving disputes, and it will deteriorate the disputes and increase the instability of the region if more parties are involved, Hong said. China hopes countries outside the region to resolve disputes with respect of objective facts and a fair position, instead of intensifying the tension, building antagonism and complicating the regional situation, said the spokesman.