The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday reiterated that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and adjacent waters after Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi on Thursday claimed Malaysia's sovereignty over these areas.

In response to a question on Badawi's claim, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China is ready to resolve related disputes properly through consultation.

"We hope the countries involved will abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and refrain from taking actions that might complicate or expand disputes," said Qin.

He also called for concerted efforts to safeguard the peace and stability of the South China Sea.

The Nansha Islands is a group of more than 650 reefs, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea, and the Danwan Reef is an uninhabited oceanic atoll in the Nansha Islands.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2009)