China, Japan spar over disputed seas

China’s President Xi Jinping waves as he disembarks from his plane on his arrival for the the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Manila, Philippines Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. AP

MANILA, Philippines — China is unhappy with Japanese comments about territorial tensions in the South China Sea.

Japan has voiced objections to Chinese moves to expand its claims in the South China Sea that Tokyo says are violating international law and threatening free navigation and flight in the region. Japan has also sparred with Beijing over their conflicting claims to uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.

At a daily press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China was “dissatisfied with the remarks and actions of the Japanese side.” He accused Japan of trying to stoke tensions over an issue it is not directly involved with.

The territorial spats are not on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec)  agenda, though are drawing attention.

Leaders from 21 countries and self-governing territories are gathering in Manila for the Apec summit. The meeting’s official agenda is focused on trade, business and economic issues but terrorism, South China Sea disputes and climate change are also set to be in focus.

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