China will not "swallow the bitter pill" of ceding its sovereign rights to others, a senior military official told foreign naval leaders Wednesday, as the country takes an increasingly assertive approach to guarding its maritime territory.
"No country should expect China to swallow the bitter pill of our sovereignty, national security or development interests being compromised," said Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission.
The commission is China's top military council, chaired by President Xi Jinping.