China on Wednesday said that its territorial claims in the South China Sea is legitimate and were established throughout a long course of history which is in line with the international law including the United Nations Charter.
"China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have been formed in a long historical process and claimed by all Chinese administrations, which are also in line with UN Charter & UNCLOS. Accusations of China's lawful claims are groundless," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in a press conference.
This remark came after US Secretary of State Michael