A tabloid widely viewed as a mouthpiece for the Chinese regime warned on Monday that a war with the United States would be "inevitable" if Washington were to interfere with Beijing's ever-expanding presence in the disputed South China Sea, the Telegraph reported.

The Global Times said that the construction of runways, harbor facilities and buildings on the Spratly Islands -- which, in addition to the People's Republic, are claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam -- was the nation's "most important bottom line."

"If the United States' bottom line is that China has to halt its activities, then a U.S.-China war is inevitable in the South China Sea", the semi-official newspaper warned. "We do not want a military conflict with the United States, but if it were to come, we have to accept it."

Tensions between Washington and Beijing ran high over the weekend after a U.S. spy plane flew over parts of the disputed waters, a move over which the Chinese government immediately lodged a complaint. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Monday dubbed the flight "provocative behavior" by the United States, Reuters noted.

"We urge the (United States) to correct its error, remain rational and stop all irresponsible words and deeds," Hua said. "Freedom of navigation and overflight by no means mean that foreign countries' warships and military aircraft can ignore the legitimate rights of other countries as well as the safety of aviation and navigation."

Analysts said neither Washington nor Beijing appear to be in the mood to back down, fueling a serious risk of escalation in case of even a minor incident in the airspace around the islands in the South China Sea.

The commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet had voiced concerns last month over a "great wall of sand" he said China was building through land reclamation in the disputed waters, according to The Associated Press.

"When one looks at China's pattern of provocative actions towards smaller claimant states ... it's no surprise that the scope and pace of building man-made islands raises serious questions about Chinese intentions," Adm. Harry Harris said.