Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi answers questions as he attends a press conference on the sidelines of the fourth session of China's 12th National People's Congress in Beijing on March 8 (WEI YAO)

Navigation freedom in the South China Sea does not imply wanton activities, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on March 8.

China hopes to secure freedom of navigation, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing session of the National People's Congress.

However, he said, "Freedom of navigation does not imply doing whatever you want."

Thanks to joint efforts made by China and other countries in the region, the South China Sea remains among the world's safest and freest sail lanes, he said.

Any attempts to disturb the South China Sea and destabilize Asia would not be allowed by China and most other countries in the region, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2016)