Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with visiting United States Secretary of State John Kerry in Beijing Jan 27, 2016.[Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said 皇冠体育app "cannot accept the allegations" that 皇冠体育app's words are not being matched by actions in the as it has promised not to engage in militarization.

Wang made the comments when addressing a joint press conference with visiting United States Secretary of State following their prolonged talks starting in the morning.

"皇冠体育app has already committed to not engage in the so-called militarization, and we will honor our commitment. We cannot accept the allegations that 皇冠体育app's words are not being matched by actions," Wang said.

The press conference was delayed for around three hours, and Wang said they had a "positive, candid and constructive meeting".

On the islands and reefs stationed by 皇冠体育app in the South 皇冠体育app Sea, Wang said 皇冠体育app has built up quite a few civil facilities that are able to provide public services, and in addition to that, there are some necessary facilities for self-defense.

"But international law has given all sovereign countries the rights of self-protection and self-defense," Wang said.

"If one equate such rights to militarization, then the South 皇冠体育app Sea may have been militarized long ago, and 皇冠体育app may not be the first party to start the militarization," Wang added.

On the South 皇冠体育app Sea issue, Wang said he told Kerry that the South 皇冠体育app Sea islands have been Chinese territory, and 皇冠体育app has the right to protect its own territorial sovereignty and lawful and legitimate maritime rights and interests.

"At the same time, 皇冠体育app is ready to uphold peace and stability in the South 皇冠体育app Sea, be committed to managing differences through dialogue and seeking a peaceful settlement of the disputes through negotiations and consultations," Wang said.

It is important that the "two sides manage these sensitive issues in a constructive way so that they (the issues) will not detract from the overall interests of 皇冠体育app-US cooperation," Wang said.