FM urges respect for sovereignty, maritime rights over patrols east of Taiwan island

China urged on Thursday relevant countries to respect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and maritime rights, and to stop distorting the facts over Chinese law enforcement patrols in waters east of China's Taiwan island.

Relevant institutions should also refrain from making statements inconsistent with their mandates, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular news briefing.

He was responding to concerns expressed by the United States, Britain, France and Germany that the patrols could undermine regional stability, freedom of navigation and the safety of international shipping.

Guo said China has an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the area under Chinese law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The patrols were a legitimate exercise of jurisdiction to safeguard regional stability and maritime order, as well as a necessary response to attempts by Japan and the Philippines to manipulate maritime delimitation issues and infringe upon China's maritime rights, he said.

Guo also criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for ignoring infringements by Japan and the Philippines while seeking support from external forces to smear the central government's efforts to defend China's rights.