US Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Chinese premier Li Keqiang at the Zhongnanhai Leadership Compound in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

The US and China clashed over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea yesterday, as China’s foreign minister asserted its sovereignty to reclaim reefs saying its determination to protect its interests is “as hard as a rock”.

After a private meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi showed no sign of backing down despite Kerry urging China to take action to reduce tension in the South China Sea.

“With regard to construction on the Nansha islands and reefs, this is fully within the scope of China’s sovereignty,” Wang told reporters, using the Chinese name for the Spratly islands.

“I would like to reaffirm that China’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity is as hard as a rock,” he said. “It is the people’s demand of the government and our legitimate right.”

Wang made the comments at a joint news conference with Kerry, who is on a two-day visit to China likely to be dominated by deepening concern about Beijing’s ambitions in the South China Sea.

China claims about 90 per cent of the 3.5 million square kilometre sea. The Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam also claim large parts of it.

China claims about 90 per cent of the 3.5 million square kilometre sea

China’s rapid reclamation effort around seven reefs in the Spratly archipelago of the South China Sea has alarmed other claimants such as the Philippines and Vietnam.

At the same time, China has expressed its concern about a possible US plan to send military aircraft and ships to assert freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

Kerry did not respond when asked to clarify if the US intended to follow through on what a US official said was a proposal to send US military aircraft and ships within territorial limits China asserts around reclaimed land.