China angered by Republican criticism of South China Sea claims

The US Republican Party platform has called China's claims in the East Sea "ridiculous".

China's Foreign Ministry on July 21 called on the US Republican Party to stop making "groundless accusations" against China in its platform, which said China had made "ridiculous" claims in the East Sea.

China has made a claim called the Nine-Dash Line, covering almost the entire East Sea (Photo: Reuters).

The Chinese government has avoided making direct comments on the US presidential election, to avoid being seen as interfering in its internal affairs, although last month Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei called Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump an “inappropriate type of person” for his proposal to increase tariffs on Chinese imports.

In an English-language statement published by Xinhua on Thursday, July 21, China's foreign ministry said that the Republican Party's platform contained "accusations about China regarding Taiwan, Tibet, trade and the South China Sea" which was an interference in China's internal affairs.

"We hope relevant parties stop making groundless accusations against China and interfering in China's internal affairs and do more to contribute to bilateral trust and cooperation," the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said.

Chinese officials admit to knowing little about Republican candidate Donald Trump compared to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, who had extensive ties with China during her time as US Secretary of State./.

According to VOV