Leaders of the Group of 7 or G7 nations meeting in Belgium look with disfavor on China's relentless moves to lay claim to the entire South China Sea.

"We are deeply concerned by tensions in the East and South China Sea. We oppose any unilateral attempt by any party to assert its territorial or maritime claims through the use of intimidation, coercion or force," the G7 leaders said in a communique issued in Brussels.

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"We call on all parties to clarify and pursue their territorial and maritime claims in accordance with international law."

China claims practically all of the South China Sea, and dismisses competing claims from Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia Taiwan and Brunei.  Japan also has a territorial dispute with China over the Senkaku (Diaoyu) in the East China Sea.

Tensions escalated after China positioned an oil rig in waters claimed by Vietnam. The Philippines has said China is building an airstrip on a disputed island it claims.

The G7 communique did not specify any country but its statement clearly pointed to China and the movements of its ships in the East China Sea and South China Sea that seek to assert its claims to both these areas.

China has been sending its ships to Japanese territorial waters near the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea that China claims. In the South China Sea, Chinese ships are facing-off against Vietnamese boats near the Paracel Islands claimed by both Hanoi and Beijing.

"I explained the rise in tension in the East China Sea and South China Sea," said Japanese Prime Minister Abe.

Abe told the G7 leaders that Japan believes any country should pursue its territorial claims in accordance with international law and any coercion or threat would be unacceptable.

"The G-7 strongly supported the position," Abe said.

TagsG7, maritime dispute