China Warns Japan To Stay Out Of The South China Sea Dispute

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, July 15, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Reuters: China tells Japan to stop interfering in South China Sea

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday that his country should stop interfering and hyping up the South China Sea issue, as the dispute took center stage at a key regional summit in Mongolia.

China has refused to recognize Tuesday's ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague invalidating China's vast claims in the South China Sea and did not take part in the proceedings. It has reacted angrily to calls by Western countries and Japan for the decision to be adhered to.

Meeting in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, Li told Abe that China's stance on the South China Sea was completely in line with international law, state news agency Xinhua reported.

"Japan is not a state directly involved in the South China Sea issue, and thus should exercise caution in its own words and deeds, and stop hyping up and interfering", Li said, according to Xinhua.

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Update #1: Chinese premier urges Japan not to interfere in South China Sea issue (Xinhua)
Update #2: China Tells Japan to Stay Away From South China Sea Dispute (China Topix)

WNU Editor: Japan responds .... Japan PM tells China's Li international law must be respected: Kyodo (Reuters). More here .... Abe, Li restate their S. China Sea stances (Japan News).