BEIJING, Feb. 23 -- China on Tuesday reaffirmed its right to self-defense and refuted U.S. accusation as "hyping with ulterior motives" after a U.S. think tank report said China might be installing radar on islands of the South China Sea.

The deployment of defense facilities is the result of China's right to self-defense granted by international law, which is fully legitimate, said a press release from the Ministry of National Defense.

The ministry's remarks came after a report from the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies on Monday saying satellite images showed China might be installing a radar system on the Nansha Islands. The radar system would significantly bolster China's ability to monitor surface and air traffic across the southern portion of the South China Sea, the report said.

The ministry said the facilities including navigation and meteorological equipment are mainly for civil usage to provide public good for the international community.

The ministry accused the United States, which strengthened military deployment in the South China Sea, sent military vessels or planes to waters in the sea, and gathered allies to conduct joint drills or joint cruise with strong pertinence, of "being the root" of militarization on the South China Sea.

"Someone turned a blind eye to the U.S. behavior, but criticized China's legitimate islands construction over and over again. It is deliberately stirring up trouble with ulterior motives and exaggerating the tension," the press release said.