The G-7 statement is a blatant attempt at interference in a situation which is none of their direct concern, exposing the bloc's transition from observer of the situation to meddlesome mischief-maker, a Xinhua commentary said.
The G7 foreign ministers' meeting held in Hiroshima on Monday is yet another move by 'outsiders' to fuel militarization of the region, the article penned by Wang Xiaopeng and Liu Fei said.
The article quoted from the G-7 report: "We express our strong opposition to any intimidating, coercive or provocative unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions," the statement said, without mentioning any nation involved or specifying precisely which tensions are matters of concern.
The article then pointed out that neither Japan nor any other G7 member is a party to the disputes.
"It is hard to ignore increased activity by certain nations with only the most tenuous right to be considered "local." Many of these activities can hardly be considered acts of outright pacifism," Xinhua says.
The U.S. is reportedly planning to send vessels to "patrol" the South China Sea again, to ensure "freedom of navigation." Earlier this month, a Japanese submarine, a vessel with no legitimate function beyond "self-defense," showed up at a port in the Philippines for the first time in 15 years.
It is not difficult to construct an argument defining these acts as ploys against China, the largest littoral state of the South China Sea.
At the same time, China believes in communication and dialogue. China is striving for a region characterized by peace, friendship and cooperation. Clearly these simple concepts are not at the top of certain nations' wish lists, Xinhua adds.
"A solution to the issue is well within the reach of the claimants involved, but there are strong indications -- not least this most recent G7 statement -- that a peaceful, win-win outcome is not in the interests of many parties who are absolutely not directly involved. It is hard not to be suspicious of the behavior and comments of the G7 bloc."
