A two-day international naval gathering has come to an end in China, with a pledge by a leading Chinese military official promising resolve in defending this country's territorial integrity.
Fan Changlong is the vice-Chair of the Central Military Commission.
"China will unwaveringly protect its sovereign rights, national security and development interests, and no country should expect China to swallow the bitter pill of its sovereign rights, national security and development interests being compromised."
The Western Pacific Naval Symposium in Qingdao has seen two-dozen Asia-Pacific nations adopt an agreement aimed at reducing the possibility of conflict between China and its neighbors.
The Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea is also designed to increase naval communication.
Harry Harris is the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet.
"The CUES itself, while very important, and we all should take credit for it, is only the beginning of a journey of improving relationships on the high seas and managing attentions."
The meeting of naval officials in Qingdao this year comes as territorial disputes continue to linger in both the East and South China Seas.
The Western Pacific Naval Symposium was first established in 1987.
This is the first time China has hosted it.
