China blasts Abe for meddling in South China Sea issue

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China on Monday accused Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of attempting to play Asian countries off against each other by raising the South China Sea issue.

Abe has just finished a six-day tour of the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam, with maritime security high on his agenda.

"Thanks to the joint efforts of China and relevant ASEAN members, the South China Sea situation is stabilizing and getting back on the track of negotiation and consultation," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular news briefing.

An aerial photo from the Hainan Maritime Safety Administration taken on September 25, 2015 from a seaplane shows cruise vessel Haixun 1103 heading to the Yacheng 13-1 drilling rig during a patrol in the South China Sea. /Xinhua Photo

"But the Japanese leader spared no effort in driving a wedge and playing up the regional tension, showing his ulterior motives and extremely unhealthy mindset," Hua said.

Japan offered to provide the Philippines with missiles as Abe visited Davao city. However, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday that he had rejected the offer. Duterte said the Philippines did not want to start any wars, adding that it would seek to end all relationships with other military alliances.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe waves to the crowd as he walks with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao city, southern Philippines on January 13, 2017. /CFP Photo‍

Hua applauded Duterte's adherence to an independent foreign policy and developing friendly and cooperative relations with other countries.

The spokesperson said China supports the Philippine's rotating presidency for ASEAN in 2017 and will promote the building of the ASEAN community and China-ASEAN ties.

China is willing to work with ASEAN to focus on development and cooperation, properly handle differences, remain committed to maintaining the big picture of the China-ASEAN relationship and contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity, according to Hua

(With inputs from Xinhua)

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