BEIJING, Sept. 18 -- China opposes any country's challenge to its sovereignty and security in the South China Sea, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday.

"China has strong historical evidence and legal support to justify our sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters," Spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular press briefing in response to a U.S. general's latest remarks on the South China Sea.

The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific said Thursday that America should challenge China's claim to territory in the South China Sea by patrolling close to artificial islands built by China.

At Friday's briefing, Hong said China, just like the United States, upholds freedom of navigation in South China Sea.

"However, we oppose any country's challenge, in the name of freedom of navigation, to China's sovereignty and security in the South China Sea," said the spokesman.

"We ask relevant parties to speak and act discreetly, respect China's sovereignty and security interests, and do not make any provocative moves," Hong said.