External forces should not interfere in South China Sea issue: Russian Foreign Minister

Sergei Lavrov said the South China Sea issue should be resolved peacefully through political means

Lavrov, who is on an official visit to China, made the remarks during talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Xinhua news agency reported.External forces should not interfere in the South China Sea issue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

Lavrov said the South China Sea issue should be resolved peacefully through political means, such as negotiations between the parties directly concerned, while external forces should refrain from interfering.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and international laws, including the agreements reached between China and Asean, are the legal frameworks that should be followed, said Lavrov.