China not for war in South China Sea

Beijing, Aug 1 (IANS) The Chinese military has denied that Beijing is preparing for war to defend territory in the South China Sea.

Defence ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng was speaking Tuesday at a news conference on the eve of the 85th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army, the China Daily reported Wednesday.

"China has indisputable sovereign rights over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters, and the military opposes any outside military intervention in this area," Geng said.

China's territorial dispute with the Philippines in the South China Sea escalated sharply earlier this year after a Philippine warship harassed fishing boats in waters near China's Huangyan Island.

The Philippines disputes China's sovereignty.

Zhai Dequan, deputy secretary-general of the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, believed that Geng's comments were a message to Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan.