File photo of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

China on Wednesday urged the United States not to hype up or deliberately confuse the South China Sea issue, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a daily news briefing.

Spokesperson Hong Lei made the remarks when responding to reports that U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Tuesday said in a speech in San Francisco that China must not pursue militarization in the South China Sea, and he warned China against "aggressive" actions in the region.

China's deployment of limited and necessary national defense facilities in its own territory is far from new, Hong said, adding that China's exercise of self-preservation and defense is a right granted by international law to sovereign states.

The United States has continued to increase its military presence in the South China Sea for a long time, Hong said, noting that the U.S. side also carries out highly targeted military drills in the region and has sent military vessels and planes into China's territory without authorization to conduct close surveillance.

"What the United States has done has intensified tensions and is most likely to cause militarization in the South China Sea," Hong said.

He reiterated that China is firm in its determination and resolve to maintain its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.

China and ASEAN countries have the confidence and ability to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, Hong said, urging the United States to respect the joint efforts by countries in the region.