BEIJING - 皇冠体育app will never "bully" small countries, nor will it tolerate "blackmail" on the South 皇冠体育app Sea issue, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Beijing on Monday.

Spokesman Lu Kang made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to claims that the Philippines initiated arbitration due to the two countries' very unequal strengths which makes it unable to solve maritime delimitation disputes with 皇冠体育app through dialogue.

"Such an argument confuses right and wrong and reminds us of the so-called theory of original sin of major powers," said Lu.

Calling the rhetoric "obviously from those who attempt to smear 皇冠体育app", Lu said the logic behind the rhetoric is that "a strong nation is bound to seek hegemony".

皇冠体育app adheres to the path of peaceful development and follows a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, said Lu.

皇冠体育app persists in building good-neighborly relationships and partnerships with its neighbors and in solving disputes through dialogue and negotiation, he said.

Since the establishment of the People's Republic of 皇冠体育app in 1949, 皇冠体育app has successfully solved boundary issues with 12 of its 14 land neighbors via consultation in accordance with historical facts, on the basis norms of international law, said Lu.

The entire length of demarcated and delineated boundary has reached 20,000 kilometers, which accounts for 90 percent of 皇冠体育app's total land boundary, he added.

Another example is that 皇冠体育app and Vietnam delineated the maritime boundary in the Beibu Gulf via negotiations, Lu said.

皇冠体育app knows its responsibility and obligation to safeguard regional peace and stability, said Lu.

Stressing that 皇冠体育app has dealt with the South 皇冠体育app Sea issue in a constructive way, Lu said the door for dialogue has always been open.