CHINA, through its foreign ministry, claimed that the United States has encouraged 'certain countries' violation' of other nations' maritime rights and has become the biggest threat to regional peace and stability.

Wang Wenbin, China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, made the remark when asked to comment on the joint statement of the US, Japan, and South Korea over the weekend wherein they criticized the 'dangerous and aggressive behavior supporting unlawful maritime claims that we have recently witnessed by the People's Republic of China.'