China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei speaks at a press conference on Thursday. (Photo/fmprc.gov.cn)

(ECNS) -- China's Internet is free, open and orderly, said China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Thursday.

The spokesman made the statement at a regular press conference over the U.S. Commerce Secretary's remarks that a free and open Internet is essential in the 21st century.

"China is home to nearly 700 million netizens, as well as Internet giants such as Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba. The Internet has injected great vitality to China's economic and social development," Hong said.

"It is justifiable for China, as a sovereign state, to manage the Internet in accordance with the law, in a bid to safeguard the just and legitimate rights and interests of citizens and companies and make sure that the Internet belongs to each and all of us," Hong added.