BEIJING, May 26 -- Infrastructure projects on the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea will serve both military and civilian purposes, said a defense ministry spokesperson Tuesday.

While the projects have some basic defense functions, they will be used for a variety of civilian purposes and enable China to better exercise its international responsibility in areas such as maritime rescue and search, natural disaster relief, scientific research, meteorological service, environmental protection, navigation safety protection and service for fishing industry, said Yang Yujun, the ministry spokesperson, at a press conference.

The infrastructure projects not only benefit China but also the international community, he said.

Yang also stressed the development is within China's sovereignty.

"In terms of sovereignty, these projects on the Nansha Islands are not different from any other projects on Chinese territory," he said.