In 2002, China and ASEAN members signed the DOC to deepen their maritime cooperation on environment protection, scientific research, navigation security, search and rescue, and the fight against cross-border crimes.

And in 2011, China established a 3-billion-yuan ($450 million) China-ASEAN maritime cooperation fund, which provides vital support for strengthening maritime cooperation.

China and the ASEAN nations have also reached a preliminary consensus on a set of precautionary measures to prevent and control maritime risks, and have established a hotline for maritime rescues and emergencies.

The China-sponsored 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, which was first proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping while visiting Indonesia three years ago to enhance cooperation with ASEAN members, is expected to inject fresh momentum into the China-ASEAN partnership.

China's land reclamation within the scope of its Nansha Islands is lawful and justified. Such moves are done within China's own territory, and will neither target nor affect any third party. The land reclamation projects will benefit the region by providing civilian services, ranging from fishery services and maritime rescue to weather forecasts and administrative management.

Home to one of the world's busiest waterways and a variety of offshore fisheries, the South China Sea is also susceptible to natural disasters caused by typhoons and monsoons.

China has good reasons to improve the living and working conditions of the personnel stationed on islands within its territorial waters, and fulfill its obligation of offering public goods to the international community. Necessary defense facilities do not define the role of China's island construction.

The author is a senior researcher at the Naval Military Studies Research Institute of the People's Liberation Army.