BEIJING - China on Thursday said there is "no question" regarding the freedom and safety of navigation in the South China Sea, stressing that the region is safe to travel through.

"There is no question about the freedom and safety of navigation in the South China Sea. Countries in and out of the region are beneficiaries," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said during a daily press briefing.

Hong's comments came after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III met on Tuesday and issued a statement concerning navigation in the South China Sea. International media reports said that the statement was aimed at containing China.

Hong acknowledged that he has seen the reports and urged related countries to work for regional peace and stability.