Beijing views Washington's "freedom of navigation" operations as both political and military provocations, and it will continue to monitor air and sea activity closely and take any necessary measures, Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Wu Qian told a regular news briefing on Thursday.

Wu made the remarks in response to media reports that the United States was planning to carry out a third "freedom of navigation" operation to challenge China's territorial claims in the South China Sea.

"We think the US's so-called freedom of navigation operations pose political and military provocations against China, which could easily lead to mishaps in the sea and air, and are extremely dangerous," Wu said.