China slams G7 ‘irresponsible’ remarks on maritime disputes

China has strongly slammed a statement by the G7 group of advanced economies on Beijing’s maritime dispute with its neighbors.

According to Press TV, at the end of their meeting in Hiroshima Monday, foreign ministers of the US, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan issued a statement about tensions over the disputed waters of the East and South China Seas.

The G7 statement indirectly accused China of “intimidating coercive or provocative unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions” in the strategic seas.

Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday responded angrily to the statement, denouncing it as "irresponsible," and urging G7 member states “to abide by their promise of not taking sides on territorial disputes.”

G7 members should “respect the efforts by regional countries, stop all irresponsible words and actions, and make constructive contribution to regional peace and stability,” the Ministry’s Spokesman Lu Kang said.

“China’s stance on the East and South China Seas are consistent and clear,” said the official, reaffirming Beijing’s determination to deal with such disputes though negotiations and within the framework of international law.

ME