China lodges serious protest over Japan's remarks on 'South China Sea arbitration award'

China on Sunday lodged a serious protest with Japan over its remarks and actions concerning the so-called 2016 South China Sea arbitration award, accusing Tokyo of undermining regional peace and stability and challenging the post-war international order.

The head of the Department of Asian Affairs of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the chief minister of the Japanese Embassy in China on Sunday over Japanese Foreign Minister's remarks hyping the 10th anniversary of the so-called South China Sea arbitration award and Japan's joint statement with other countries on the issue.

China expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition, saying Japan bears historical responsibility for its actions in the South China Sea region and has no right to comment on the South China Sea issue given its own historical record.

The Chinese side said Japan's actions on the matter challenge the post-war international order and the rule of international law, apply double standards, distort facts and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea.

The ministry added that Japan's actions went against the shared interests and aspirations of countries in the region and had also raised concerns and strong opposition from the international community over Japan's history of aggression and colonialism.

China vowed to respond firmly to Japan's provocations and to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Furthermore, China also raised serious concerns with Japan over issues including the Taiwan question, abandoned Japanese chemical weapons left in China after World War II, remarks by Japanese lawmakers on China's ethnic policies, and a series of negative developments related to Japan's military and security policies.