Sina.com, a major Chinese web portal, carried a Global Times report that Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, stated that China has always advocated handling disputes through peaceful means and will not use force recklessly, even when it comes to issues related to territory and sovereignty.
Fan made the statement while addressing the sixth Xiangshan Forum in Beijing last Saturday morning. He said that China always insists on resolving disputes through friendly negotiations with parties directly involved and will try its best to avoid unexpected conflicts.
Fan said China has settled land and border issues with a majority of neighboring countries through consultation. Regarding growing concerns over the construction on coral islands in the South China Sea, Fan anticipated that the construction, mostly for civilian purposes, would improve marine navigation and provide public services.
Source: Global Times, October 17, 2015
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/nd/2015-10-17/doc-ifxiwazu5555260.shtml