BEIJING - China opposes any military operations in its exclusive economic zone without permission, the Chinese foreign ministry said Friday, days before a military exercise to be staged by the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on the Yellow Sea.

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"We hold a consistent and clear-cut stance on the issue. We oppose any party to take any military actions in our exclusive economic zone without permission," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement Friday.

The comment came as the United States and the ROK planned to hold joint military exercises in waters off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula starting from November 28.

The United States will send the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to join ROK's naval forces in the four-day drill.

The military drill was announced after ROK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea exchanged artillery fire Tuesday in waters off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, leaving four people dead.

"As the Korean Peninsula situation is highly complicated and sensitive, all parties concerned should stay calm and exercise restraint," Hong said.
Hong urged all parties to help ease tension, safeguard peace and stability in Korean Peninsula and the region.