![FILE - In this July 12, 2016 file image made from video, Lu Kang, the most senior spokesman of China's Foreign Affairs Ministry, speaks to reporters about the international tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea during a news briefing in Beijing. The new U.S. administration is heating up rhetoric over the South China Sea with a promise to challenge China’s occupation of disputed islands. Beijing is responding cautiously, appealing for calm and direct negotiations involving claimants. China immediately responded with Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying saying the U.S. is not a party to the disputes and should stay away. The comments at the regular briefing in Beijing were followed up by Lu on NBC News, who said “there might be a difference [of opinion] over the sovereignty of these islands but it's not for the United States.” “That's not international territories, that's Chinese territories," said Lu. (AP Photo, File)](https://twt-thumbs.washtimes.com/media/image/2017/01/29/south_china_sea_watch_92698_s878x558.jpg?5f259af54cba4e739b58a35e47fa8cee12a51dc5)
FILE - In this July 12, 2016 file image made from video, Lu Kang, the most senior spokesman of China's Foreign Affairs Ministry, speaks to reporters about the international tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea during a news briefing in Beijing. The new U.S. administration is heating up rhetoric over the South China Sea with a promise to challenge China’s occupation of disputed islands. Beijing is responding cautiously, appealing for calm and direct negotiations involving claimants. China immediately responded with Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying saying the U.S. is not a party to the disputes and should stay away. The comments at the regular briefing in Beijing were followed up by Lu on NBC News, who said “there might be a difference [of opinion] over the sovereignty of these islands but it's not for the United States.” “That's not international territories, that's Chinese territories," said Lu. (AP Photo, File)
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