BEIJING - China's armed forces will work closely with fishery and maritime supervision agencies to jointly safeguard national marine rights and interests, a Defense Ministry spokesman said here Thursday.

Spokesman Geng Yansheng made the remarks at a monthly Defense Ministry press briefing in response to a reporter's question on whether the Chinese navy will send warships to patrol the South China Sea following the incidence on April 10, when 12 Chinese fishing boats were harassed by a Philippine Navy gunboat while taking refuge from harsh weather in a lagoon near Huangyan Island. Two Chinese Marine Surveillance ships conducting routine patrols in the area later came to the fishermen's rescue. The Chinese navy did not dispatch warships at that time.

Noting that China's stance on the South China Sea is consistent and clear, Geng said the Chinese army shoulders the responsibility of defending national territorial sovereignty and safeguarding marine rights and interests.

"The Chinese armed forces have persisted in implementing their mission under the unified deployment of the nation," he said, adding that the army will, according to its tasks and responsibilities, make joint efforts with fishery and maritime supervision departments to safeguard national marine rights and interests.

At a routine press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin reiterated that Huangyan Island is an inherent part of Chinese territory and China's sovereignty over the island does not require international arbitration.

Liu made the remarks after the Philippines declared that it will unilaterally bring the dispute over Huangyan Island to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Seas.

Liu said interventions by any international agencies into issues concerning territorial sovereignty and maritime rights need to adhere to relevant procedures and principles -- namely, mutual consent by both parties involved.

"The one-sided hype by the Philippines will not help to resolve the current dispute," he said.

According to media reports, the Philippine Department of Education on Wednesday confirmed its plan to open an elementary school on Zhongye Island, which belongs to China's Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

In response to the move, Liu said China has sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters and opposes any illegal activities that will infringe upon its sovereignty.

The spokesman urged the Philippines to adhere to the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and refrain from taking any actions that will complicate or escalate tensions and undermine regional peace and stability.

He warned the Philippine side to stop its petty actions that will not help resolve matters relating to Huangyan Island.

The dispute over Huangyan Island was incurred by the Philippines' harassment of Chinese fishing vessels and fishermen, and China has lodged representations to the Philippine side both in Beijing and Manila, said Liu.

Noting that the Chinese Embassy in Manila has made unremitting efforts in properly resolving the dispute and safeguarding the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties, Liu called on the Philippines to provide due courtesy and convenience for Chinese diplomats in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Liu again demanded that the Philippines take China's concerns seriously and respect its territorial sovereignty, stating that China will firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty.

He also urged the Philippine side to refrain from taking actions that will internationalize the tensions, getting other countries involved and making misleading remarks that run contrary to the facts and legal principles.

"We hope the Philippines will make due efforts to restore the peace and stability of Huangyan Island," he said.