Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday that China's scientific activities in relevant waters do not target any country or incident, hoping that relevant countries can view them properly and do not assess the issue with illusory threat.

His remarks came as Australia said it was monitoring a Chinese research ship as it makes its way through southern Australian waters.

"China has always carried out normal activities in relevant waters in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," he told a daily news briefing.