Beijing slams outside interference in South China Sea; region stable

Beijing urged Washington on Monday to stop making irresponsible remarks over the South China Sea and play a constructive role in maintaining peace in the region after the United States accused China of "coercive" activities in the waters.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the US Department of State quoted Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's accusation of China's "blocking development in the SCS (South China Sea) through coercive means". US National Security Advisor John Bolton made similar remarks on Twitter.

The comments made by Pompeo and Bolton totally ignore the facts and will not fool countries and people in the region, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Monday.