China claims indisputable sovereignty over Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands and Nanhai Zhudao. The activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea are lawful, justified and beyond reproach, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on regular press conference of April 12.

The leaders of the US, Japan and the Philippines held their first trilateral summit in Washington on April 11, and issued a Joint Vision Statement after the summit. The US claimed that this summit and the US-Japan-Philippines cooperation “is not aimed at” China, the Statement discussed the South China Sea issue at length, blamed China on the East China Sea issue and contained irresponsible comments on the Taiwan question. Reporter from CCTV asked about foreign ministry's comment.

Mao Ning said, “China does not accept relevant countries’ groundless accusation and deliberate smears against us on the East China Sea and South China Sea. China does not accept the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea or any unilateral moves based on the award. The situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea is generally stable”.

“Certain countries keep seeking backing from non-regional countries as they infringe on China’s sovereignty and rights and make provocations at sea. What they have done has escalated the tensions. Certain country outside the region keeps fueling the flame and stoking confrontation. This is flagrant”, said Mao Ning.

She stressed again that China will firmly guard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and we remain committed to properly settling bilateral maritime issues through dialogue and consultation with countries directly concerned. “We resolutely oppose non-regional countries meddling and sowing discords to escalate the situation”.

Mao Ning said, “China strongly opposes the practice of bloc politics by relevant countries. We firmly oppose any acts that stoke and drive up tensions and harm other countries’ strategic security and interests. We are seriously against forming exclusive groupings in this region.”

(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China)