Hua Chunying, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, holds a regular press conference on Jan.4, 2016. (Photo from official website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters and China’s test flight to the newly built airport on Yongshu Jiao falls totally within China’s sovereignty, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson Monday.

At a regular Foreign Ministry press conference on Jan. 4, 2016, Hua Chunying, a Foreign Ministry Spokesperson was asked whether China plans to declare an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over parts of the South China Sea.

In response to this question, Hua said that as for whether or not China will set up an air defense identification zone, the decision will be made based on a full assessment of the security situation and China's needs. "We believe that the overall situation in the South China Sea is stable," Hua said

Hua said that China stands ready to make joint efforts with all relevant parties to safeguard peace and stability of the South China Sea. Meanwhile, China hopes that relevant countries would not flex military muscles by sending aircraft and vessels. Instead, they should take concrete actions to uphold peace and stability of the South China Sea together with China.

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