China urges US not to send wrong signals

BEIJING - China on Thursday urged the United States to refrain from sending the wrong signals that will embolden risky and and provocative moves by certain countries in Asia.

"The East China Sea and the South China Sea had been generally peaceful and stable. But since the United States began to pursue its pivot to Asia strategy, some countries have taken advantage of this and kept making new troubles on territorial issues," said Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng at a monthly news briefing.

"Who is destroying the status quo? Who is being provocative? I think those who are not biased will have a clear idea on this," said Geng when commenting on US accusations that China has unilaterally destroyed the status quo in South China Sea.

"We urge the US side to take an objective and impartial attitude, be cautious with its words and actions, not to send wrong signals and not to embolden some countries to take risky and provocative actions," Geng said.

When asked whether the Chinese military will protect its companies' oil drilling activities near the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, Geng said it is the responsibility of the military to protect people's rights to live in peace and the military force will do its job as it is instructed to.

"Our determination and will to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights are unswerving," he said. "There is no room for bargaining on the issue."