China hits out at regional 'small circles'

China on Friday summoned Japanese and Philippine diplomats to express dissatisfaction over negative comments aired during a summit of leaders of the United States, Japan and the Philippines, saying it objects to the creation of closed and exclusive "small circles" in the region.

China strongly opposes any practice that stirs up and escalates conflict, and undermines the strategic security and interests of other countries. It also objects to certain countries' manipulation of bloc politics, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news conference.

Liu Jinsong, director-general of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, met with Yokochi Akira, chief minister of the Japanese embassy in China.

Liu also made "solemn representations" to Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz over the Southeast Asian country's "negative words and deeds" related to China during the summit.

Japan and the Philippines could certainly develop normal relations with others, but the two nations must not introduce bloc confrontation into the region, let alone engage in trilateral cooperation at the expense of the interests of other countries, Mao said.

Mao reaffirmed that China has indisputable sovereignty over Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands, as well as the South China Sea Islands, saying that China's activities are legitimate and beyond reproach in those areas.

"China will never accept baseless accusations and malicious smears against it by relevant countries on the East China Sea and the South China Sea issues," Mao said.

And it will never accept the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea and any unilateral actions based on that award, she added.

As the overall situation of the East China Sea and South China Sea is stable, Mao said it is certain countries, emboldened by support from countries outside and recklessly engaging in provocations and infringements at sea, that are to blame for the escalation of tensions.

She also described the instigation and stirring up of confrontation by certain countries outside the region as "outrageous".

China insists on resolving maritime issues through dialogue and consultation with parties directly concerned, and resolutely opposes the interference and escalation of tensions by countries outside the region, she added.

On the Taiwan question, Mao said it is purely China's internal affair, and the resolution of the question brooks no interference from others.

The greatest threats to peace in the Taiwan Strait are "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and the connivance and support of external forces.

"If relevant countries truly care about the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and genuinely value international security and prosperity, they should adhere to the one-China principle, unequivocally oppose separatist activities of 'Taiwan independence' and support the reunification of China," the spokeswoman said.

Malicious attack

In another development, Mao slammed the US for maliciously attacking China after US President Joe Biden on Thursday pledged that US commitments to the defense of Japan and the Philippines remain "ironclad" as he hosted his counterparts of the two countries.

Mao rebuked the US for clinging to the Cold War mentality and frequently threatening others with bilateral alliance treaties, saying that such acts seriously violate the United Nations Charter and undermine regional stability.

"The lessons from history tell us that a pawn will only end up being abandoned," she said of those countries that collude with foreign forces for their own selfish interests.