China Rebukes Quad's Concerns on Maritime Issues

China has strongly criticized the recent Quad Ministerial meeting for expressing significant concerns about the maritime situation in the East and South China Seas. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged the Quad nations to refrain from interfering in regional maritime affairs.

During a media briefing, Mao Ning emphasized the generally stable conditions in the contested seas. The Quad assembly, held in Delhi and chaired by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, also included the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who voiced apprehensions without naming China directly.

Mao Ning further condemned the idea of forming exclusive alliances that could escalate tensions, branding the Quad as an effort to confront China. China maintains its claims over most of the South China Sea amid disputes involving several other nations, and it contends with Japan over islands in the East China Sea.

Beijing continues to oppose the Quad alliance, seeing it as an attempt akin to an 'Asian NATO' designed to counter China's regional influence. Mao highlighted the need for any international cooperation to foster peace and prosperity in the region without infringing upon China's interests.

(With inputs from agencies.)