BEIJING, July 22 (Xinhua) -- China opposes any act violating the country's territorial sovereignty, sovereignty rights or administrative rights in the South China Sea, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

    Spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remarks when asked by a journalist to confirm a report that China has warned U.S.-based oil giant Exxon Mobil to drop an exploration deal with Vietnam as China claims the deal infringes upon Chinese territorial water.

    He said: "China's position on the South China Sea issue is clear and consistent. On the specific issue you mentioned, China has stated its position to the relevant side.

    "China opposes any act of violating China's territorial sovereignty, sovereignty rights or administrative rights in the South China Sea," Liu said.