BEIJING -- China refuted a senior US diplomat's accusations of its land reclamation activities in the South China Sea on Thursday, saying China has been and will continue to be a firm defender of its national sovereignty and international justice.

US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, while addressing a seminar in the Republic of Korea, said China's behavior raises the question of "What kind of a power does China seek to become?"

"The answer to that question is quite clear," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing. "China has been a peace-loving country, and has successfully worked out a peaceful development road."

She said China has embarked on the new road of win-win cooperation, and will never repeat the history of great powers seeking hegemony.

China had been and will continue to firmly defend its national sovereignty and security, as well as global equality and justice, and promoting world peace and development, said the spokesperson.