China has also begun to include territorial claims over large parts of the South China Sea among its six "primary concerns" -new language that has alarmed diplomats.

Q: First, How do you comment on the recent statement by the Singaporean Foreign Ministry that expressed concern over China's position on the South China Sea issue?

The remarks came as Vietnam conducted a live-fire naval exercise in the South China Sea, which China claims in its entirety, amid rapidly deteriorating bilateral relations.