Beijing, March 11 -- Beijing urged Washington on Monday to immediately stop its wrongdoings following reports that the United States is proposing port fees on Chinese-built ships and operators.

"We urge the US to respect facts and multilateral rules, and immediately cease its erroneous acts. China will take necessary measures to defend its legitimate rights and interests," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing in Beijing.

Reuters cited a draft executive order saying that the US is planning to charge fees for docking at US ports on any ship that is part of a fleet that includes Chinese-built or Chinese flagged vessels. The order also stated that the US will push allies to act similarly or face retaliation....