China, U.S. engage in war of words over disputed islands

Washington (CNN) The standoff between the U.S. and China over disputed territory in the South China Sea is escalating into a war of words and renewed pledges of military maneuvers in the area.

"China urges the U.S., think three times before taking action; act responsibly; stop all provocative speech and acts; and do more things that will benefit the region's peace and stability instead of the opposite," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Thursday.

The comments came after U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter began an important trip to the Pacific region, during which he vowed that the U.S. would not back down on its military operations around islands China is manufacturing in disputed waters 600 miles from its coastline.

"There should be no mistake: The United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, as we do all around the world," Carter said Wednesday.

In response, China's foreign ministry demanded the U.S. use caution.

"What kind of function can the U.S. have for the region's peace and prosperity?" the foreign ministry spokesman asked. "Fundamentally speaking, would creating a mess in the Asia Pacific, which is the core engine of the world economy, fit the U.S. interests?"

READ: Behind the scenes: A secret Navy flight over China's military buildup

Last week, the Chinese Navy repeatedly issued warnings in an attempt to force a U.S. Navy P8-A Poseidon surveillance aircraft to leave the airspace over the disputed islands. The crew of the P8-A, which had a CNN news team on board, answered each radio challenge with the same response: that the U.S. was flying in international airspace over international waters.

 China retaliating against U.S. spy flight 02:12

In his comments at a change of command ceremony in Hawaii for U.S. military forces in the Pacific, Carter said it is not only the U.S. who supports a continued American military presence in the region, but also nervous Southeast Asian nations, some of whom, including Vietnam and close U.S. ally the Philippines, have competing claims for islands and reefs in the South China Sea.

"China's actions are bringing countries in the region together in new ways," Carter said. "And they're increasing demand for American engagement in the Asia-Pacific. We're going to meet it. We will remain the principal security power in the Asia-Pacific for decades to come."