Third party not in a position to interfere in dispute: China

BEIJING: China Tuesday urged India to respect its sovereignty claims over South China Sea where it is locked in a bitter row with Philippines, saying that no "third party" will be in a position to interfere in maritime disputes between the two countries.
"Maritime disputes are issues between the countries concerned and any third party is not in a position to interfere," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.

"We urge relevant side to face facts of issues of South China Sea, respect the sovereignty and maritime interests of China and the efforts made by the countries in upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea," he added.
Jian was replying to a question at a media briefing on the remarks made by external affairs minister S Jaishankar that India supports the sovereignty of Philippines.
China claims most of the South China Sea as its own, while Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims.