Japan should do more to enhance mutual trust with neighboring countries and promote regional stability, instead of sowing discord, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei at a routine press briefing.

Hong made the remarks while commenting on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s latest interview with the Financial Times, in which he voiced Japan’s concerns about China’s construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea and exploitation of oil and gas in the East China Sea, demanding that the international community raises its voice against it.

China’s exploitation of oil and gas in the East China Sea has occurred in waters within its jurisdiction, which is within China’s sovereignty rights, Hong said.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and adjacent waters. Construction on the islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands falls within China’s sovereignty, which is legitimate and reasonable, he added.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-01/19/c_135024522.htm