Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei has condemned Japan's remarks over the South China Sea arbitration unilaterally launched by the Philippines. He urged for Japan to stop making such irresponsible remarks.

"Some Japanese officials are constantly hyping up the South China Sea issue, intensifying the situation, and inciting hostilities among other countries. Japan has many dishonourable records over the South China Sea issue. We hope it can stop writing such records. We also hope other regions and nations can be vigilant about such actions by Japan,"  Hong Lei said.