China says it has lodged repeated complaints with Japan over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's criticism of Chinese activities in the South China Sea. Abe said in the recent G7 summit that China is attempting to change the status quo by conducting reclamation around islands. China says Japan's remarks are no good for bilateral ties.

"China has expressed strong concern and indignation about Japan's remarks, and has repeatedly made solemn representations. Japan is not a party in the South China Sea issue. It has deliberately interfered in the issue, provoked conflict within the countries in the region and maliciously manufactured tensions in the South China Sea. This will seriously damage the mutual political trust and hurt the overall improvement in ties," said Hong Lei, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.