US is lacking 'integrity' in S. China Sea

Ministry says country will stand against any challenges to sovereignty or security interests

China criticized the United States for a lack of "integrity and transparency" as the Pentagon chief visited a US aircraft carrier in the South China Sea.

"China stands against any move that pushes militarization of the South China Sea or challenges and threatens other nations' sovereignty and security interests in the name of freedom of navigation," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a news conference on Thursday.