The biggest risk to peace and stability in the South China Sea is "improper involvement and frequent interference" by powers outside the region, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday.

Wang clarified China's position on the South China Sea issue and refuted the so-called concerns by the United States during the 12th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Noting that China's position on the South China Sea issue has solid historical and legal basis, he said the Chinese side has never changed the basis or adjusted the scope of its claims, nor are there any excessive claims.

For a long time, the U.S. had not raised any objections to China's sovereignty, rights or interests in the South China Sea, stating that it did not take a position on the sovereignty or ownership of the islands and reefs in the South China Sea, said Wang.

But now, Wang continued, the U.S. has turned to completely reject the Chinese side's position, which is untenable logically, legally and axiomatically.

"Where is the credibility of a great power when it changes its established policy so arbitrarily for its own political needs? How can it win the trust of others in the future?" he asked.

Noting that more and more U.S. ships and aircraft appear in the South China Sea, the Chinese foreign minister urged Washington to make efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

(Cover: File photo of Jinqing Island of Yongle Islands, located in the Xisha Islands, south China's Hainan Province. /Xinhua)