China has refuted a statement by G7 foreign ministers on the East and South China Sea disputes. The Group of Seven issued the controversial statement on Monday after G7 foreign ministers met in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang emphasized that China's has always acted within its sovereign rights in the East and South China Seas. Lu said China is committed to immediately resolving all relevant disputes with relevant countries through negotiation. China will neither accept nor participate in any foreign arbitration suit that circumvenes Chinese law. Lu reminded G7 member states of their commitment not to take sides in territorial disputes.

The host of this year's G7 meetings, Japan, refuses to recognize Chinese territorial claims in the East China Sea. China fears Japan is using its position in the G7 to persuade unrelated parties to express "strong opposition" to China.