China Slams G7 Criticism on South China Seas
China has strongly hit out at the G7 nations for blaming it for tensions in East and South China seas, warning that the country is ready to respond if its sovereign rights and territorial integrity are infringed.
Beijing accused G7 members of bias, ignoring the facts and irresponsibility as it rejected a statement made by the group targeting, but not naming, China over maritime tensions.
"What the G7 members have said and done are too far from the facts," Hong Lei, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. "China strongly urges the G7 members to respect the facts, discard bias, stop making irresponsible remarks and focus on things that can really help to properly handle and resolve the disputes and contribute to regional peace and stability."
China is committed to maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight in the East and South China seas, and it will be the first to come out against any behaviour threatening navigational freedom in these waters, he said.
Beijing has also pledged to solve the South China dispute through direct negotiation and consultation with the countries involved.
The G7 leaders, although, stopped short of mentioning any country, it was obvious they pointed at China over the South China Sea issue, official Xinhua news agency said in a report.
Jia Xiudong, a senior international affairs researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, said none of the G7 members have the right to meddle in the situation in the South China Sea, as they are not directly involved.
"Making statements like this and ignoring facts and justice will not enhance the voice of the G7 on the global political stage. Rather, it will diminish its image and weaken the group's influence," Jia said.
