洪磊：美国使中国南海问题紧张升级

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has responded to the US state department's remarks on South China Sea. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said the US should make clear the history and basic facts of the South China Sea before making any remarks and that the US military actions have increased tensions in the South China Sea.

"China's deployment of defense facilities on its own territory is to exercise defence capabilities, homeland defence capabilities under the international law, not to militarise,"

"The US has sent guided missile destroyers and strategic bombers to go near or even deep into the sea and air space of relevant islands and reefs of China's Nansha Islands, and repeatedly put pressure on its allied countries and partners to carry out joint drills and joint patrols with strong pertinence,"

"These actions have increased tensions in the South China Sea and constitute the militarisation of the South China Sea," said Hong Lei, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Minister.