Beijing criticizes US State Department report on the South China Sea

The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned a US State Department report released yesterday which stated that China’s claims over the South China Sea are unclear and inconsistent, Reuters reported. China’s Foreign Ministry brought up the fact that Washington had previously promised not to take sides in the dispute, with spokesman Hong Lei stating that “The US report ignores the basic facts and international legal principles and is contrary to its promises not to take a position or sides.” The spat comes days after China denounced the Philippines regarding an international arbitration case over the disputed waters.