国内英语新闻:China asks U.S. to stop interfering in maritime disputes

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China hopes that the United States will stop making irresponsible remarks on maritime disputes between China and other countries, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Wednesday.

In response to a question at a daily press briefing about a U.S. military report released on Monday, Hong said China has always worked on resolving maritime disputes through consultation and negotiation with the countries directly involved on the basis of historical facts and international law.

"We hope that the U.S. will adopt a just and objective stance and stop making irresponsible remarks," Hong said.

He expressed the hope that the U.S. would head toward the same goal as China and build a mechanism of mutual trust and healthy relations between the two militaries.

In the report entitled "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower", the U.S. Navy says China is pressing ahead with its territorial claims by force or coercing means that lead to tension and instability. The report also says the U.S. wishes to maintain constructive interactions with the Chinese Navy.

Hong said China will pursue the route of peaceful development and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.

He said China's development of military force on the sea is not directed at, nor constitutes a threat to, any other country. He said such development meets not only China's need to safeguard its sovereignty, national security and development interests, but also the needs to maintain peace and stability in the region and the world.