(MENAFN) China on Thursday dismissed allegations from the foreign ministers of the G7 nations, urging the group to "stop stirring up disputes, heightening tensions, and undermining regional peace under the pretext of maritime issues."

"The situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea remains generally stable," stated Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a press briefing in Beijing, as reported by a state-run news agency.

Lin criticized the G7’s comments, saying they "once again ignored facts, distorted right and wrong, and deliberately smeared China while grossly interfering in China's internal affairs." He added, "China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes it."

The G7’s top diplomats, representing Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, the US, and the EU, had on Wednesday voiced concern over China's military expansion and the “rapid increase” in its nuclear capabilities.

In a joint statement following their meeting in Ontario, Canada, the diplomats encouraged Beijing to "demonstrate its commitment to stability through improved transparency."

The statement also stressed the importance of "a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law" and expressed "strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in particular by force or coercion, including in the East China Sea and the South China Sea."

The group further highlighted "the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait" and opposed "any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, particularly by force or coercion."

They called for the "peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues through constructive dialogue."

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