South China Sea joint statement says China's maritime claims have no basis
SPY•China rejects ruling and protests Japan remarks
China's foreign ministry on Sunday reiterated the country's sovereignty claims, blaming intensified military deployments by outside powers including the U.S. for tensions in the South China Sea.
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"The so-called award is nothing but a piece of waste paper that is illegal, null and void, and has no binding force," the ministry said in a statement.
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It called on relevant countries to respect China's territorial and maritime rights and stop actions that undermine regional stability.
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In a separate statement late on Sunday, the ministry said it summoned the chief minister of Japan's embassy in Beijing to protest against remarks by Japan's foreign minister marking the anniversary of the ruling, as well as the joint statement.
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Beijing will "firmly and forcefully" respond to what it described as Japanese provocations, the ministry said, adding it also complained to Japan over issues including Taiwan.
Joint statement marks 10th anniversary of tribunal ruling
TOKYO, July 12 (Reuters) - China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis, Japan, the Philippines, the United States and 11 other countries said in a joint statement on Sunday to mark the 10th anniversary of a landmark international tribunal ruling.
The Philippines won the 2016 case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration that found China's sweeping claim of sovereignty in the South China Sea had no basis under international law, a decision that Beijing continuously rejects.
