China's actions in South China Sea legitimate: spokesman

It is only natural, legitimate and beyond reproach for China to take actions to safeguard its lawful rights and interests in the South China Sea, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a press conference on Friday.

Zhang made the remarks in response to a report released by the Philippine Navy, which claimed that the Chinese Navy, Coast Guard and "maritime militia" have been working in coordination to strengthen China's effective control in the South China Sea.

Zhang accused the Philippines of repeatedly attempting to smear China's legitimate rights-protection actions in the South China Sea, while trying to cover up its own unlawful infringements and provocations.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters, and enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters. It is only natural, legitimate and beyond reproach for China to take actions to safeguard its lawful rights and interests," he said.

"The Philippine side has been going to great lengths to smear China's rights-protection actions in an attempt to mislead public opinion and cover up its own unlawful infringements, provocations and acts of making trouble, which the international community sees clearly. We urge the Philippines not to misjudge China's resolve and will to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and to stop fabricating false narratives and undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea," Zhang said.

China's actions in South China Sea legitimate: spokesman

China and Canada should work together to promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said in Beijing on Friday.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while attending the Canada-China Trade and Investment Banquet together with the visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Speaking at the event, He said that under the strategic guidance of the important consensus reached by their leaders, China and Canada should adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, win-win cooperation, and mutual success, and jointly promote the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

China is steadfastly expanding high-standard opening up, continuously developing new quality productive forces, and is willing to work with countries around the world, including Canada, to create new prospects for cooperation, said He.

Carney noted at the banquet that China is Canada's second-largest trading partner and said Canada looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges with China, making full use of dialogue mechanisms in areas such as the economy and trade, and deepening cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy and other fields.

Carney arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to begin a four-day official visit to China, marking the first trip to the country by a Canadian prime minister in eight years.

China, Canada should work together for stable, healthy, sustainable economic ties: Vice Premier