China denies German warship entry into harbour, Berlin says

Chinahas denied aGermanwarshipon a mission to the contested SouthChinaSeaentryinto aharbour, aGermanforeign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The ship involved is the frigate Bayern, the spokesperson told a news briefing, but did not identify the Chineseharbour. The vessel set sail fromGermany last month for a six-month mission to the SouthChinaSea.

"Chinahas decided that it does not want aharbourvisit, and we took notice of that," the spokesperson said.

China's foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, when asked about the incident, said thatChinahoped countries outside the region would play a "constructive role" and respect regional countries efforts' to maintain peace and stability.

"Chinaattaches great importance to the development of an all-round strategic partnership betweenChinaandGermany, including cooperation between the two militaries," he said, speaking at a briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

China's defence ministry has not responded to requests for comment.

Chinaclaims almost all of the SouthChinaSea and has established military outposts on artificial islands in the waters that contain gas fields and rich fishing.

China's claims are contested in part by some of its neighbours including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

The United States and some other countries have also said they do not accept the extent ofChina's claims in the SouthChinaSea.

Berlinhas made it clear that the Bayern mission serves to stress the factGermany does not acceptChina's claims though officials have said theGermannavy would stick to common trade routes