1st LD: Construction on own islands, reefs something China has to do -- Vice FM

China's construction work on its own islands and reefs in the South China Sea is something "we have to do" for the sake of improving living conditions for people there as well as better fulfillment of China's international obligation, a senior Chinese diplomat said here Sunday.

The latest comments were made by China's Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin at a press briefing on the sidelines of the 27th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Malaysia.

The briefing was held hours after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who attended the summits, raised a five-pronged proposal to uphold and promote peace and stability in the South China Sea, calling on countries outside the region to refrain from taking actions that may cause tension in the region.

Liu said the construction of facilities, mainly civilian ones, on seven of its islands and reefs in the South China Sea is something China has to do, which aims at improving life and work qualities for personnel on the islands and providing high-quality public services that will also benefit surrounding countries.

Some construction projects will be finished within years in succession, according to Liu.

A total of 42 of China's islands and reefs in the region are being illegally occupied by its three neighboring countries, he said.

"To build necessary military defense facilities on islands far away from our mainland is both required by the national defense need and the need to safeguard our islands and reefs," Liu said. "They should not be mistaken for the militarization of the South China Sea."

"Some major countries outside the region are exercising their so-called freedom of navigation by sending airplanes and warships while strengthening military cooperation with countries in the region. Is that a trend of militarization?" he said, urging heightened alert against it.

"Don't make troubles on purpose," he warned.

China has voiced "strong discontent" over the recent intrusion of a U.S. warship in waters near China's Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

Calling such act a "political provocation," Liu said that when exercising the freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea, countries concerned need to give respect to the sovereignty and security of the regional countries along the coast.

The situation at South China Sea is generally peaceful. Over 100,000 ships from countries around the world sailing safely and freely through the South China Sea annually.

China has held that disputes should be addressed by countries directly concerned through friendly consultations and negotiations in a peaceful way, and peace and stability in the South China Sea being jointly maintained by China and ASEAN countries.

Beijing has solved territorial disputes with many countries peacefully in recent years. Endi