BEIJING -- China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their surrounding waters, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.

Yang Yi, spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks when asked to comment on media reports that Taiwan's navy will conduct patrols in the area by the end of this month. Yang's comments were posted on the website of www.china.com.cn.

People from both sides of the Taiwan Strait have shared responsibility to safeguard sovereignty over the islands and their surrounding waters, Yang said.