Chinese
state media warned the Group of Seven nations on Thursday not to
"meddle" in South China Sea disputes, as leaders from the bloc gathered
for talks in Japan.
The
commentary came as European Council President Donald Tusk said on the
sidelines of a summit in Ise-Shima that the bloc should take a "clear
and tough stance" on China's contested maritime claims.
Beijing
has angered several Southeast Asian neighbours by claiming almost all
of the South China Sea and rapidly building reefs into artificial
islands capable of hosting military planes.
China's
official Xinhua news agency published an article saying the G7 -- which
excludes Beijing -- "should mind its own business rather than pointing
fingers at others".
Xinhua
writer Chang Yuan accused Japan of "attempting to take advantage of its
G7 summit host status and draw more 'allies and sympathizers' to
isolate China".
Both
Washington and Tokyo -- which is locked in a separate dispute with
Beijing over islands in the East China Sea -- have warned against
Beijing stoking tensions in the contested waters.
Chang wrote that such remarks showed "Japan's hidden agenda: to meddle in the South China Sea issue".
Weighing
in on the South China Sea "exceeds the G7's current influence and
capability. What's more, it reflects a lingering Cold War mindset",
Chang added.
The
commentary came ahead of a ruling expected within weeks on China's
claims brought to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague by the
Philippines.
China
has warned outside parties not to meddle in the South China Sea, but
has also attempted to draw nations as far away as Niger, Togo and
Burundi into the dispute, insisting that they support its rejection of
the tribunal.
British
Prime Minister David Cameron warned China that it must abide by the
outcome of the international arbitration as he arrived in Japan for the
G7 summit, the Guardian newspaper reported.
Beijing
summoned top diplomatic representatives from the Group of Seven nations
including France and Britain in April to express anger at a joint
statement on the South China Sea.
The
G7 said at the time: "We are concerned about the situation in the East
and South China Seas, and emphasise the fundamental importance of
peaceful management and settlement of disputes."
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