The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and China Coast Guard (CCG) ships acted lawfully in East China Sea, and there is no need for relevant parties to overreact, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday.
He made the remarks during a regular press conference in Beijing in response to a question regarding recent activities of the PLA Navy and CCG ships in the East China Sea.
"I want to emphasize that China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. The PLA Navy and CCG ships acted in the relevant waters in strict accordance with both domestic and international laws. Therefore, there is no need for relevant parties to overreact, over-interpret, or make groundless hype," said Lin.
PLA Navy, CCG ships act lawfully in East China Sea, there's no need to overreact: spokesman
Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron held friendly exchanges on Friday in Dujiangyan in Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Macron arrived in Chengdu on the previous evening for the second stop of his three-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi.
Upon their arrival in Chengdu, Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were warmly received by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Welcoming them to Sichuan, which is known in China as the "Land of Abundance", Xi recalled his visit last year to France's Hautes-Pyrenees Department at Macron's invitation. Xi said he believed that Macron's latest visit will help further deepen his understanding of China.
The two presidents together visited the more than two-millennia-old Dujiangyan irrigation system, a major water conservancy project located along the Minjiang River which was built during China's Warring States period (475-221 BC) and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Xi noted that the Dujiangyan irrigation system is the world's only ancient irrigation project still in operation today, and also one of the earliest successful practices of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, adding that its construction process fully reflects the Chinese nation's spirit of constant self-improvement, fearlessness in the face of hardships, and courage to forge ahead.
Macron is set to conclude his state visit to China later on Friday, after having held talks with senior Chinese leaders in Beijing before traveling to Chengdu late on Thursday.
The French president is currently embarking on his fourth state visit to the country, with this being a reciprocal visit following President Xi's historic trip to France last year which came as the two sides marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.
The city of Chengdu also has a long-standing relationship with France. In 1981, Chengdu and France's Montpellier became the first pair of sister cities between the two countries.
Xi, Macron visit site of ancient irrigation system in Chengdu
