BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Coast Guard will be transferred to the command of armed police from July 1, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday.

The coast guard will form a division under the armed police and take charge of law enforcement at the sea, spokesperson Wu Qian said at a press conference.

The change of command will not alter the basic duties of the coast guard nor affect China's policies about maritime affairs, he said.

China will, as always, continue to address disputes peacefully through negotiations with directly involved countries and enhance law enforcement and security cooperation with other countries, he said.