Chinese FM warns Japan against intervention in South China Sea issue

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday urged Japan not to intervene in the South China Sea issue.

During talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of an ASEAN foreign minsters' meeting in the Lao capital, Wang said Japan, which is not a claimant in the South China Sea disputes, should avoid interfering in and hyping up the maritime spats.

China has always been maintaining the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, he said.

The Chinese top diplomat hoped that Japan could take concrete steps to preserve the foundation laid by the four political documents and the four-point principled agreement between the two countries.

"The China-Japan relations are still vulnerable and unsatisfactory," he said.

For his part, Kishida said Japan and China have witnessed high-level exchanges recently, adding that his country is ready to work with China to boost cooperation in economy, trade and anti-terrorism.

He expected the two sides to properly handle their disputes so as to build the Japan-China ties in the new era, and he also said Japan is willing to contribute to a successful G20 summit in Hangzhou, east China in September.

Also on Monday, Wang met with Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion and they exchanged views on bilateral ties and the South China Sea issue. Endit