China opposes any attempt to form cliques and factions and to escalate regional tensions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.
Guo's remarks came in response to a media inquiry about a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on Tuesday. The two sides spoke of China's actions in the East and South China seas, and agreed to expand security cooperation.
"China has always believed that exchanges and cooperation between countries should not target any third parties or harm the interests of third parties. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. During World War II, Japan invaded and colonized the Philippines and other East Asian countries and occupied the South China Sea Islands, which is a serious historical crime. We urge Japan to follow the path of peaceful development and act prudently in the field of military and security," Guo said.
Guo stressed that China's sovereignty and rights in the East China Sea and the South China Sea are in accordance with international law.
"We oppose any attempt to form cliques and factions in the region and escalate regional tensions. I also want to point out that China's sovereignty and related rights in the East China Sea and the South China Sea were formed in a long historical process and are in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China's activities in the relevant waters are reasonable and legal, and beyond reproach," said the spokesman.
China opposes any attempt to form cliques, escalate regional tensions: spokesman
