CHINA-JAPAN/SOUTH CHINA SEA China says lodged repeated complaints with Japan over S. China Sea

Record ID: 151019

  • Title: CHINA-JAPAN/SOUTH CHINA SEA China says lodged repeated complaints with Japan over S. China Sea
  • Date: 12th June 2015
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (JUNE 12, 2015) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, HONG LEI, WALKING IN FOR REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, HONG LEI, SAYING: "Japan's actions are not helpful in trying to solve the South China Sea issue, and are not of benefit to regional peace and stability in the South China
  • Embargoed: 27th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8IDXX7GYVNKJ61ONB9EP4QWEK
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: China's Foreign Ministry said on Friday (June 12) it has lodged repeated complaints with Japan over Tokyo's criticism of Chinese behaviour in the disputed South China Sea, warning Japan not to undermine improving relations between the two Asian rivals.
    Last week, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he agreed with the Philippine President Benigno Aquino to oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the South China Sea.
    China has become increasingly assertive in the South China Sea, building artificial islands in areas over which the Philippines and other countries have rival claims.
    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that Japanese officials' recent remarks on the South China Sea have seriously damaged the mutual political trust between the two countries.
    "Japan's actions are not helpful in trying to solve the South China Sea issue, and are not of benefit to regional peace and stability in the South China Sea. They seriously damage the rejuvenation of Sino-Japan relations," he said.
    Hong said China "has expressed strong concern and indignation" about the remarks and "has repeatedly made representations". He reminded Japan that it is not a party in the South China Sea issue.
    "We once again urge Japan to abide by its promise not to have a position on the South China Sea issue, to immediately stop hyping up the South China Sea issue and making groundless accusations against China, to cease entire conflicts for its own self-interest," Hong said at a regular briefing.
    China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei all have overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
    China and Japan have conflicting claims over parts of the East China Sea.
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