China's foreign ministry on Monday responded to reports which claimed that China appears to be building an airstrip on Meiji Jiao island as is shown in new satellite images.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said at a regular press conference that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters. Construction activities taken by the Chinese side on some stationed islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands are completely lawful, reasonable and justified.
Hong said as a responsible country and the largest littoral state in the South China Sea, China has the capability, need and obligation to provide the region with more public goods and services and satisfy the requirement of military defense by building some necessary facilities in the South China Sea.
