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                 China Blasts G-7 Statement on South China Sea

   by Esha Sarai

   China has strongly criticized a statement released by foreign ministers
   at the Group of 7 industrialized countries (G-7) meeting which
   expressed concern over tensions and territorial disputes surrounding
   the South China Sea.

   Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang accused the G-7 in a
   statement of "hyping up maritime issues and fueling tensions in the
   region," and said China was "strongly dissatisfied with relevant moves
   taken by the G-7".

   The statement also advised the G-7 to "respect the efforts by regional
   countries, stop all irresponsible words and actions, and make
   constructive contribution to regional peace and stability".

   The G-7's statement made in Japan this week expressed "strong
   opposition to any intimidating, coercive or provocative unilateral
   actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions, and urge
   all states to refrain from such actions as land reclamation, including
   large scale ones, building outposts, as well as their use for military
   purposes."

   While the G-7 statement did not explicitly name China, which is not a
   G-7 member, it contained a message critical of Beijing's massive
   efforts to assert its claims over a string of islands in the South
   China Sea through new constructions.

   It came as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is expected
   to reach a decision soon on a case filed by the Philippines against
   Beijing.

   In January 2013, Manila formally complained about what it called
   China's "excessive claim" to practically the entire South China Sea.
   China voiced strong opposition about the case being taken to the
   international tribunal.

   Foreign ministers from the United States, Britain, Canada, France,
   Germany, Italy and Japan met this week in Hiroshima to discuss issues
   -- including regional and global security -- paving the way next month
   for a G-7 leaders' summit.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/china-blasts-g-7-statement-on-south-c
   hina-sea/3282676.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/china-blasts-g-7-statement-on-south-china-sea/3282676.html