BEIJING (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, Lavrov said that attempts to internationalize the issues related to the South China Sea were counterproductive, and all parties to the maritime dispute should search for mutually acceptable agreements.
"China has highly appreciated the Russian foreign minister's statement," the spokesman said.
Any attempts to influence the situation by countries not involved in regional disputes are nonconstructive, Lu added.
The South China Sea contains a number of disputed islands. The Paracel Islands are controlled by China while being claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. The Spratly Islands are contested by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia. In the East China Sea, China, Japan and South Korea are locked in a dispute over exclusive economic zones and the use of maritime resources.