Defensive facilities 'legitimate'

Beijing 'has the right to such deployments on Xisha Islands to protect national sovereignty'

Any defense deployment on China's territory would be legitimate, Beijing said on Wednesday, responding to reports that China has positioned anti-aircraft missiles on the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea.

"The Xisha Islands are the inherent territory of China. China has justified and legal rights to implement defense facilities on its territory to protect national sovereignty and security," the Defense Ministry's Information Office said in a statement to China Daily.