China appreciates Putin's position on South China Sea issue

BEIJING -- China values Russian President Vladimir Putin's position on the South China Sea issue, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

Russia supports China's stance on the South China Sea issue and opposes any third-party interference, Putin told a news conference after the G20 summit in China.

"President Putin's position shows Russia to be objective and fair, and represents the voices of justice from the international community," spokesperson Hua Chunying told a press conference.

A tribunal in July issued an "award" on the South China Sea arbitration, which was unilaterally initiated by the former government of the Philippines. China has reiterated that it will not accept any proposition or action based on the decision.

In fact, if a country is truly concerned about peace and stability in the South China Sea, it will support China to peacefully resolve the dispute with the countries directly concerned in accordance with international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), Hua said, adding that China also opposes any attempt by forces outside the region to manipulate the issue or stir up trouble.