China said Friday that Japanese actions regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea threaten recent improvements in bilateral relations that soured over tensions linked to their row in the East China Sea.
The comments represent the sharpest tongue-lashing Beijing has delivered to Tokyo in months, following an effort by Japan to rally Group of Seven members against China's heavy-duty land reclamation projects and muscle-flexing in the South China Sea.
"The Chinese side expresses severe concerns and indignation about the negative moves taken by the Japanese side," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular news briefing in response to a question from state media.