China urges the US to curb militarization of the South China Sea.

247, with Diário do Povo online - China urged the United States not to overstep its bounds on the South China Sea issue, after US Defense Secretary James Mattis stated that the US would continue to confront the Asian nation regarding its military presence in that sea.

"It's absurd, it's exactly like a thief shouting 'stop stealing'," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Thursday (31).

Hua stated that the military force deployed by the US exceeds the combined forces of China and other countries with coastlines on the South China Sea.

"China is not the first country, nor is it the one deploying the largest quantity of weapons, nor is it the country with the most military activity in the region," the spokesperson emphasized.

Hua noted that it is legitimate and justified for China to establish limited and necessary national defense facilities on its islands and reefs to exercise its right to self-defense as permitted by international law.

"China adopts a national defense policy that is defensive in nature; we will not attack anyone unless we are attacked," he reiterated.

Hua urged the U.S. to cease its unwarranted increase in military presence and to promote mutual trust, cooperation, peace, and regional stability.