China has said Japan should refrain from making statements about issues concerning the South China Sea. The Chinese Foreign Ministry was responding to the Japanese Defence Minister, who said the situation in the South China Sea could easily be replicated in the East China Sea.

"The ASEAN should stick to their positions on South China Sea issues. It is better under ASEAN's control on how to view the situation in the South China Sea. Japan is not the spokesperson on South China Sea issues. Japan should not gossip on the issue," said Geng Shuang, spokesperson, Chinese Foreign Ministry.