China strongly opposed UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace's irresponsible remarks about the South China Sea issue during his visit to Vietnam, which disregards the historical merits and objective facts of the issue, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK said in a statement on Tuesday. 

The so-called "arbitral tribunal ruling" on the South China Sea is illegal, null and void, the statement said, adding that Ben Wallace's remarks deliberately sowed discord among regional countries and thus, undermined regional peace and stability.

China urges the UK to abide by international law underpinned by the UN Charter, respect China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop making provocations, and stop undermining peace and stability in that region so as to avoid further disruptions to China-UK relations, the statement added.