'G7 Statement Maliciously Slanders China'

China said G7 nations had "maliciously slandered and smeared" it after foreign ministers in the group of developed economies criticised a number of Beijing's policies.

"The G7 foreign ministers' meeting disregarded China's solemn position and objective facts, grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and maliciously slandered and smeared China," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters on Tuesday.

The G7 statement was "full of arrogance, prejudice against China," Wang said. "We have made a strong demarche to the host Japan."

He added: "We should abandon the Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices, stop condescending and pointing fingers at other countries, and stop artificially creating confrontation and division in the international community."

In their communique issued at the end of their talks in Japan, G7 ministers said: "There is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and we oppose China’s militarisation activities in the region."

Wang said the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea remains stable on the whole.

The G7 statement also said peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is "an indispensable element in security and prosperity in the international community", and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.

"Taiwan is a sacred and inalienable part of China's territory," Wang said. "The One-China principle is the anchor for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. To truly maintain peace... any move towards 'Taiwan independence' must be unequivocally opposed and stopped." (Agencies)