MANILA, Philippines - Beijing on Wednesday denied reports that it has deployed surface-to-air missile launchers on a contested island in the South China Sea.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the reports that China sent a missile system to Woody Island, a part of the Paracel Island chain in the South China Sea, were an attempt Western media to "create news stories."
READ: Report: China deploys missiles in contested South China Sea island
"As for the limited and necessary self-defense facilities China has built on islands and reefs stationed by Chinese personnel, that is consistent with the self-defense and self-preservation China is entitled to under international law," Wang said.
Wang suggested that the media should focus its attention on the lighthouse that China has built on some of the islands in the disputed sea.
Fox News earlier reported that two batteries of a missile system known as HQ-9 have been spotted on Woody Island in the Paracel Island chain.
The missile system poses a threat to airplanes, civilian or military, flying in the region as it has a range of about 200 kilometers or 125 miles.
Taiwan earlier confirmed that China deployed an unspecified number of missiles to Woody Island.
Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have overlapping claims over the islands and surrounding waters in the disputed sea.
RELATED: PNoy stresses upholding of law in resolving sea row | Obama, SE Asian leaders seek resolution to maritime disputes