China says extremely dissatisfied with G7 statement on South China Sea

BEIJING: China is extremely dissatisfied with a statement by Group of Seven (G7) leaders on the contentious South China Sea, where Beijing is locked in territorial disputes with several Southeast Asian countries, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the remarks at a regular briefing.

China´s increasingly assertive stance in the region has sparked concern from the United States and its Asian allies.

China is not in the G7 club but its rise as a global power has put it at the heart of some discussions at the advanced nations´ summit in Ise-Shima, central Japan.

G7 leaders agreed on Thursday to send a strong message on maritime claims in the western Pacific.