Responding to media reports that China has positioned missiles on the Xisha Islands, the Chinese Defense Ministry has said any defense deployment on China's own territory would be legitimate.
It said China has justified and legal rights to implement defense facilities on its territory to protect national sovereignty and security.
In a statement, the ministry said China started deploying maritime and air defense systems on relevant islands some years ago.
It also accused certain media of trying to again hype up the so-called 'China threat.'
It's being reported that China had deployed an advanced anti-air missile system on Yongxing island of the Xisha Islands in the past week, citing satellite photos.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has described it as an attempt to create news stories.
At Wednesday's news conference with his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop, Wang Yi called on global media to pay more attention to the public service facilities China was offering in the South China Sea.
