Beijing, July 12 -- China on Sunday strongly criticised Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's remarks marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award, saying Japan had no right to comment on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime claims in the region.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Beijing "strongly deplores and firmly opposes" Japan's statement, accusing Tokyo of endorsing what it called an "illegal" arbitration award and of "attacking China's lawful claims and mischaracterizing Japan as a legitimate stakeholder" in the South China Sea.
"Japan is not a party in the South China Sea and is in no position to pass judgment on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests i...