A Chinese general on Saturday defended Beijing’s military build-up in the South China Sea, blasting the “irresponsible comments” made by U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, who on Saturday accused  Beijing of threatening its neighbors in the heavily disputed waters and warned China of “consequences” if it continues weaponizing the South China Sea.

“Any irresponsible comments from other countries cannot be accepted,” Lieutenant General He Lei told  reporters at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, a civilian and military defense summit in Singapore, after Mattis warned that “there are consequences that will continue to come home to roost if China does not find a way to work more collaboratively with nations that have interests in the disputed region.” He then clarified that “as long as it is on your own territory you can deploy the army and you can deploy weapons”, indicating that to China the “contested” islands are anything but.

“We see any other country that tries to make noise about this as interfering in our internal affairs,” General He said, referring to the Pentagon chief’s comments.

Beijing’s recent deployment of anti-ship cruise missiles, radar-jamming equipment, and strategic bombers to the disputed islands have dramatically increased geopolitical tensions around the region. In an attempt to counter rising territorial tensions, the Chinese general said Beijing’s militarization of the islands were for “national defense” purposes.

“They are for the purpose of avoiding being invaded by others … As long as it is on your own territory you can deploy the army and you can deploy weapons,” he said.

For years Washington has agitated Beijing by claiming “freedom of navigation”, sailing its military vessels and flying its warplanes around the heavily disputed islands in the South China Sea.

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