China says outside countries should not interfere in South China Sea disputes

July 23 ------ China's foreign ministry said that countries not directly involved in South China Sea disputes had no right to intervene, after Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong voiced concerns over what she described as aggressive conduct in the disputed waterway.

Speaking at a regular news event, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing would continue to "firmly safeguard its sovereignty, rights and interests in accordance with the law" and handle maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation.

Australia's foreign minister said on Wednesday that countries in the region face a choice in how they respond to aggressive conduct in the South China Sea, which Canberra views with concern.

A recent encounter in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines was troubling, destabilizing and risky, Penny Wong said on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com