Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has objected to China’s transport of "nuclear elements” to the contested area at the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), as reported by the US defense and military establishment.

"We definitely object to that because they (China) should not be bringing any nuclear [elements] in the disputed area,” Lorenzana told reporters at Pier 13, Manila after the arrival ceremony for the Philippine Navy contingent from Hawaii on Monday.

The Pentagon had raised alarm over Beijing’s plans to establish floating nuclear power plants on the hotly contested islands and reefs in South China Sea, in a report to the US Congress.

"We are talking about our disputes in a civil matter and there is no need for [China] to militarize to that level where they will bring in nuclear-armed aircraft or any other weaponry there that are nuclear-tipped,” Lorenzana said.

Also, on Monday, Lorenzana, joined by Armed Forces chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. and high-ranking officials of the Navy, welcomed the 700-man Navy contingent that participated in the Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) exercises held in Honolulu, Hawaii.

"Participating in the exercises that are far away from us means that we are already capable of patrolling our seas since we have surface ships, capital ships going to the oceans,” the Defense chief stressed.

Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, Navy chief, said the Rimpac drills "sends a very strong signal” that the Philippine Navy has extended its reach "far beyond” when it comes to the country’s territorial waters and its exclusive economic zone.

Empedrad said the Philippine Navy conducted drills with the most advanced navies in the world such as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Singapore Navy, Republic of Korea Navy, Australian Navy and the US Navy.