China is ready to deal with any aggression in the South China Sea, a PLA Navy commander said on Monday as China announced plans to stage military exercises in disputed maritime territory.       

Admiral Wu Shengli's remark came during his meeting with US Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson in Beijing on Monday. This is the first high-level military interaction between both countries since the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated China's claim over almost entire South China Sea last week.

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"The Chinese navy is prepared to react to any infringement of rights or aggression ... Efforts to force us to succumb to pressure will only be counterproductive," Wu said, according to CCTV.   

Wu added that China would not make any concession on its sovereignty and will go ahead with construction activities in the Spratly Islands irrespective of pressure from any country. However, amid the tough rhetoric, the senior PLA Navy commander admitted the need to improve communication between both militaries to avoid any miscalculation.

The meeting between Richardson and Wu coincided with China's announcement that it would stage a three-day military exercise off Hainan province, the South China Morning Post reported. The military drill will be conducted from June 19 to June 21, and the entire area will be cordoned off to prevent the entry of vessels, the provincial maritime administration said.

Meanwhile, another top Chinese navy official on Monday warned the US about its freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea. Admiral Sun Jianguo said that military freedom of navigation patrols carried out by foreign navies could spell disaster for the entire maritime region. He added that such operations led by the US are hindering real freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

TagsSouth China Sea, Admiral Wu Shengli, South China Sea Case Permanent Court of Arbitration, China and US