Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson says China has the right to regulate the use of its own marine resources.
Hua Chunying made the comment in response to US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki calling new Chinese rules on fishing access "provocative and potentially dangerous".
"Chinese laws and regulations relating to fisheries have been properly implemented for over 30 years. It has never caused any tension. If someone says a revision to local fishing regulations that have been in effect for many years constitutes a threat to peace and stability in the entire region, it is not a lack of basic common sense but a sign of ulterior motives."
Hua Chunying said the goal is to strengthen the security of fisheries resources and to reasonably utilize and exploit them.
Regulations approved by Hainan province requiring foreign fishing vessels to ask for permission to enter its waters took effect on 1 January.
Hainan, which administers 2 million square km of water, said the new rule is to protect local fisheries resources.
