China has reportedly said that South China Sea is one of the world's freest shipping lanes.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said that South China Sea is among the world's safest and freest shipping lanes arguing that Beijing's tightened control over the disputed waters was clearly justified to the reason that it was the first to "discover" them.
To recall, china was under fire from United States of America and its allies last months over the island's reclamation activities in the South China Sea, where $5 trillion of ship-borne trade passes by yearly.
United States Navy has previously carried out freedom of their navigation exercises and sail near the South China Sea's islands to underscore its right in operating the seas.
According to a report, the speculations that China deployed advanced missiles, radar equipment and fighters have led Beijing and Washington to trade accusations of militarising the part of the disputed waters.
The freedom of navigation does not equal the "freedom to run amok.In fact, based on the joint efforts of China and other regional countries, the South China Sea is currently one of the safest and freest shipping lanes in the world," Wang told a press briefing.
"China was the earliest to explore, name, develop and administer various South China Sea islands. Our ancestors worked diligently here for generations," Wang said.
"History will prove who is the visitor and who is the genuine host. China would "consider inviting" foreign journalists to islands under its control when the conditions are right," he further added.
