BEIJING, Oct. 3 (INP): The Chinese military will fulfill its defense responsibility to safeguard its sovereignty and security as well as maintain regional peace and stability.

This was stated by the spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang at a regular news briefing.

Replying to question about the South China Seas, he said for some time, with joint efforts made by China and the ASEAN countries, the situation to this effect is steadily improving.

It shows that countries in the region have the wisdom, capability and confidence to handle the South China Sea issue.

However, some countries outside the region such as Britain and France turned a blind eye to the stability in the South China Sea and insisted on hyping up the false idea of freedom of navigation and tried to make troubles out of nothing.

They came to the region to take advantage of this issue. The Chinese military is firmly opposed to these actions, he added.

The spokesperson reiterated that China respects and protects the freedom of navigation and over-flight entitled to all countries by international law.

However, we are firmly opposed to other countries taking provocative actions in the name of freedom of navigation and we are against those countries showing their existence in the South China Sea, he added.

Responding to another question regarding Cyber Security threats, he said, China has always been advocating peace in the cyber space and opposing any cyber warfare or cyber arms race. About cooperation between China and African countries, they are a community with a shared future that share weal and woe.

By following the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and a right approach to responsibilities and interests, the Chinese side will continue to have military cooperation with all African countries and support their defense and security build-up.

The spokesman told the reporters that China and the 10 ASEAN countries are preparing for the maritime exercise and we are still discussing on the number of forces to be sent and the subjects of the exercise. We will release relevant information in due course.

China and the ASEAN countries will conduct the maritime exercise in the open sea of Zhanjiang. This fully demonstrates that countries in the region have the capability, confidence and wisdom to handle regional disputes. This kind of exercise can help enhance trust and cooperation and safeguard regional peace and stability, he added.

INP/J/LK