China has claimed sending troops to and setting up territorial¹ defense² equipment on the islands and reefs of Nansha Islands is the automatic right as a sovereign state.

 

中国宣称，作为一个主权国家，向南沙群岛以及岛礁派遣部队并设立领土防御设备是理所应当享有的权利。
 

 

Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson of the Ministry³ of National Defense, made the remarks on Tuesday when answering a question on China's defense.

 

"Nansha Islands are part of Chinese territory, and setting up troops and defense equipment on their islands and reefs helps protect China's sovereignty and safety, and helps maintain an unimpeded and secure navigation channel in the South China Sea," he said. "It also helps maintain the regional peace and stability, while it is not directed at any particular country."

 

"China will resolutely⁴ follow the path of peaceful development, and pursue a national defense policy that is in nature defensive⁵, as well as a military strategy of active defense," he said.

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