BEIJING (Oct 9): China said it won’t allow any country to violate its territory in the South China Sea, in response to reports that the U.S. may send ships to the disputed area.

Several media organizations, including Financial Times, earlier reported plans by the U.S. to sail inside the 12 nautical-mile zone near islands China constructed around the Spratly chain. China claims more than 80% of the South China Sea, butting up against claims from Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

“We urge relevant parties to refrain from any provocative words and actions, and play a responsible role in regional peace and stability,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement on the ministry’s website Friday, when answering a question about the reported patrol plans. “China will never allow any country to violate China’s territorial waters and airspace in the South China Sea.”

Read more: http://www.theedgemarkets.com/en/article/chinese-government-warns-against-provocations-south-china-sea