“We continue to observe the situation in the East and South China Sea and are concerned by any unilateral actions that change the status quo and increase tensions,” said the statement issued after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk and other EU leaders.
“We urge all parties … to refrain from unilateral actions, including the threat or use of force and coercion,” it said.
The remark comes after the United States publicly highlighted Chinese island-building in the disputed Spratly islands several times in recent weeks.
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter called for an end to the land reclamation work by China and other countries on Wednesday and a halt to the militarisation of the territorial dispute.
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