Backgrounder: China's stance on South China Sea issue

China attaches great importance to peace and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, whose waters have been muddied by some outside countries in recent years, and insists on solving disputes through dialogue and consultation between parties directly related.

The following are remarks made by Chinese leaders and officials on various occasions, which represent China's stance on the South China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi -- March 8, 2016 -- press conference on the sidelines of the session of the National People's Congress:

"China hopes to secure freedom of navigation ... Freedom of navigation does not imply doing whatever you want ... Thanks to joint efforts made by China and other countries in the region, the South China Sea remains among the world's safest and freest sail lanes ... Any attempts to disturb the South China Sea and destabilize Asia would not be allowed by China and most other countries in the region."

Wang reiterated that the Nansha Islands have been China's inherent territories and all Chinese descendants have the obligation to defend the sovereign land.

With regard to China's efforts in building defense facilities on its own islands and reefs, Wang said: "China exercises the right of self-defense entitled by international law ... China was neither the first country that arranged defense nor the one that arranged the most defense, not even the one that conducted the most military activities in the South China Sea ... Not China, but others should be accused of militarizing the sea."

Wang -- Feb. 23, 2016 -- joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington:

"The islands in the South China Sea have been China's territory since ancient times, and China has the right to safeguard its territorial sovereignty ... At the same time, we insist that the issue should be solved peacefully through dialogue and consultations ... In fact, there has never been such a problem with freedom of navigation in the South China Sea ... The situation in the South China Sea is overall stable."

Commenting on the U.S. accusation of China's militarization in the South China Sea, Wang said: "People always focused on China's moves, but turned a blind eye to the advanced military equipments deployed by some other country in the South China Sea, including missile destroyers and strategic bombers."

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang -- Nov. 22, 2015 -- proposal during his visit to Malaysia:

"China and ASEAN countries commit themselves to full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety, accelerate consultations to strive for early conclusion of a full Code of Conduct (COC) on the basis of consensus, and take steps to improve regional mechanisms for mutual trust and cooperation."

"Countries from outside the region undertake to respect and support the efforts by countries in the region to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, play a positive and constructive role and refrain from taking actions that may cause tension in the region."

"All countries undertake to exercise and uphold the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in accordance with international law."

Chinese President Xi Jinping -- Oct. 18, 2015 -- written interview with Reuters:

"The actions China has taken in the South China Sea are legitimate reactions to safeguard its territorial sovereignty. Expansionism refers to laying claims to land outside one's own territory. China has never done anything like that, so such doubts or accusations are unwarranted."

"China will continue to work with its neighbors in the South China Sea to manage disputes through institutionalized dialogue, peacefully resolve disputes through negotiation and consultation, actively explore win-win results through cooperation and joint development, and safeguard the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by countries in accordance with international law."

Wang -- Sept. 16, 2015 -- speech at the 14th Lanting Forum in Beijing:

"The necessary construction activities by China on its own islands and reefs in the South China Sea are not directed against anyone. Rather, they are designed to improve logistic conditions on the islands and reefs and enable China to fulfill its international obligation as the largest littoral state of the South China Sea."

Wang -- June 27, 2015 -- speech at the luncheon of the Fourth World Peace Forum in Beijing:

"We will work with the international community to uphold freedom of navigation and commerce that countries enjoy at sea, including the South China Sea, based on international law, and fulfill all international responsibilities and obligations as a main littoral state."

"On the Nansha Islands issues, we have resolute determination and enough capabilities. We will continue to take reasonable and legitimate approaches to safeguard our justified rights and interests of the Nansha Islands. We will work with the ASEAN countries to ensure peace and stability of the Nansha Islands."

"China's necessary construction on its own islands and reefs is totally different in nature from some countries' seizure of Chinese islands and building facilities there."

Wang -- May 16, 2015 -- meeting with Kerry in Beijing:

"China's development on some of the islands and reefs in Nansha is something fully within the scope of China's sovereignty."

"We are both committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and to safeguarding freedom of navigation as defined by international law. We both stand for dialogue so as to solve the disputes peacefully."

"It's okay to have differences, but we must not misunderstand each other, and certainly we must avoid miscalculation." Endi