

BEIJING, Feb. 1 -- China on Monday accused the United States of being the biggest incentive for militarization of the South China Sea, and urged it to stop creating tension in the name of "navigational freedom".
"China always respects and supports navigational freedom in the South China Sea granted by international law to all countries, however, we oppose any infringement of China's sovereignty, security and maritime interests using the excuse of 'navigational freedom'," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang.
Lu's remarks at a regular press briefing came after a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer sailed into Chinese waters.
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said Saturday that the operation sought to challenge policies restricting navigation rights and freedom, but the United States takes no position on sovereignty claims to naturally-formed land features in the South China Sea.
The so-called "navigation freedom plan" pursued by the United States for many years does not accord with international law. It disregards sovereignty, security and maritime interests of coastal countries and jeopardizes the region's peace and stability, Lu said.
The United States is actually pursuing maritime hegemony in the name of "freedom", which was opposed by the international community, especially the developing countries, he said.
He added that the move on the U.S. side was both dangerous and irresponsible. "We advise the United States to stop moves that harm others without benefiting itself as soon as possible," Lu said.
The missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur sailed 12 nautical miles of China's Zhongjian Dao, Xisha Islands, on Saturday. According to China's Defense Ministry, Chinese troops on the islands and Navy vessels and warplanes took action immediately. They identified and verified the U.S. warship, warned it and expelled it.
>>>Related:
Op-ed: China will never compromise to “paper tigers”
On Jan. 30, several U.S. media reported news regarding the USS Curtis Wilbur, a guided missile destroyer, entering the waters of China’s Xisha Islands without prior notification. Relevant departments including the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry responded immediately.
Have you ever taken these beautiful subways in China?
Chinese beauties, foreign models meet in Chengdu
Awesome! Aerial pictures taken on J-11 fighter
A foreign girl explains what China should be proud of
Chinese navy's air-cushioned landing craft in pictures
Chinese pole dancing master opens class in Tianjin
Splendid Sichuan after snow
College girl of Vancouver crowned Miss Chinese Int'l 2016
Pentagonal Mart becomes the largest vacant building in Shanghai
Top 20 hottest women in the world in 2014
Top 10 hardest languages to learn
10 Chinese female stars with most beautiful faces
China’s Top 10 Unique Bridges, Highways and Roads
Unfair to blame Hollywood racism on China
95% of projects on financing platform found to be fake probe
'Strictest’ asset reporting system still leaves out too much experts
The loss of ‘The Voice’ proves Chinese TV needs to stand on its own two feetDay|Week