China summons Japanese official over South China Sea remarks

China on Sunday summoned the chief minister at Japan's embassy in Beijing, to lodge stern representations and express strong dissatisfaction over Japan's recent remarks and actions concerning the South China Sea arbitration.

The head of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Asian Affairs made the protest in response to a statement made by Japan's foreign minister on the 10-year anniversary of the "2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea", according to the ministry.

China said Japan bears historical responsibility for its actions in the South China Sea and has yet to fully reckon with that history, and that it therefore has no right to make irresponsible remarks on the issue.

The Japanese side's egregious words and actions challenge the postwar 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 said.

Such actions run counter to the common interests and wishes of regional countries and have aroused historical vigilance and strong indignation in China and the wider international community over Japan's aggression and colonial atrocities, it added.

China said it will respond firmly and forcefully to Japan's provocations and resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

China also lodged stern representations over the Taiwan question and issues including chemical weapons abandoned by Japan in China, remarks by Japanese lawmakers concerning China's ethnic policies, and a series of negative moves by Japan in the military and security fields.