U.S. "freedom of navigation" operations in South China Sea "very dangerous": China

The so-called "freedom of navigation" operations in the South China Sea conducted by the U.S. military are "very dangerous," a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense said Thursday.

The U.S. operations are political and military provocations against China and could easily lead to unexpected incidents, spokesman Wu Qian said at a monthly press conference.

The Chinese military will continue to closely monitor the situations in the South China Sea and will take all necessary measures as needed, he said.

The "freedom of navigation" has been used by the United States as an excuse for intervening in disputes in the South China Sea, according to the spokesman.

In fact, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is not in question, Wu stressed, criticizing the U.S. side for destabilizing regional peace and undermining coastal nations' security interests.

The U.S. military operations in the South China Sea cannot stop China's continued development and growth, the spokesman stressed.

On the same day, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing that China has always respected and supported "real freedom of navigation" in accordance with international law and is firmly opposed to all acts that harm China's sovereignty and security interests under the name of "freedom of navigation." Endi