China has defended its decision to construct civilian and military facilities on its islands in the South China Sea after coming under criticism from the United States, Britain, and Japan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a routine press briefing on Wednesday that China's construction activities on its islands and reefs in the disputed waters are meant to safeguard the country's sovereignty and rights.

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Hua pointed out that China's decision to build facilities in the area comes after other claimant countries have carried out illegal activities in the South China Sea. The other claimant countries in the South China Sea dispute are The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

Hua's statement comes after the United States Secretary of State John Kerry said that China's actions in the South and East China Seas is  threatening to create a tinderbox with the other countries involved in the dispute. British Prime Minister David Cameron has also said that China must abide by the laws.

Cameron made the statement after arriving in Japan ahead of the upcoming G7 summit. He encouraged China to be part of the "rules-based world." "We want to encourage everyone to abide by these adjudications. I'm sure that will be something that will be discussed," Cameron said.

During her statement, Hua claimed that the growing U.S. military presence and in the South China Sea is to be blamed for the heightening tensions among claimant countries. She also slammed Japan for putting the spotlight on the South China Sea issue ahead of the G7 summit.

Hua said that that the G7 summit should focus on global economic governance and cooperation. She warned that Japan's "trick" to talk about the matter at the summit will not do any good and will not help to bring peace and stability to the region.

TagsSouth China Sea, disputed waters, Japan, United States, china, military presence, constructions, Philippines