China demands US Navy end surveillance missions

2009-03-12 03:46:37 GMT2009-03-12 11:46:37 (Beijing Time) SINA.com

BEIJING – China's Defense Ministry is demanding that the U.S. Navy end surveillance missions off China's southern coast following a weekend confrontation between an American vessel and Chinese ships.

In its first public comment on the issue, the ministry has repeated earlier Chinese statements that the unarmed U.S. ship was operating illegally inside China's exclusive economic zone.

Ministry spokesman Huang Xueping said in a statement faxed Thursday to reporters that, "The Chinese side's carrying out of routine enforcement and safeguarding measures within its exclusive economic zone was entirely appropriate and legal."

Huang said: "We demand the United States respect our legal interests and security concerns, and take effective measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents."

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

(Agencies)

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