China has forcefully rebutted Vietnam's and the Philippines' accusations over the South China Sea territorial dispute, saying the two countries have started the row.

During the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) held in New York, Chinese envoy Wang Min said Vietnam and the Philippines have infringed upon China's territory. He recounted that on May 2, a Chinese firm towed an oil rig within China's contiguous zone of Xisha Islands and Vietnam had sent several vessels illegally, Xinhua relayed.

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Wang accused Vietnam of "seriously infringing" upon their sovereignty and violating international regulations, resulting in disrupted stability in the region. To restore peace, he said Vietnam now needs to "immediately stop" disrupting Chinese operations and withdraw all its vessels and staff from the site.

The envoy emphasized that Xisha Islands are part of China's territory and are under jurisdiction of their government. He added that before 1974, all Vietnamese governments had acknowledged that the said islands belong to China.

Wang had also addressed the accusations that the Philippines have made against it, saying the latter had caused the South China Sea dispute by illegally occupying some of the islands and reefs that are included in China's Nansha islands. He then said the arbitral proceedings are just the Philippines' way of gaining "international sympathy."

The ambassador further explained that China will not accept international arbitration on the issue because it had made a 2006 declaration under the UNCLOS provisions excluding territorial disputes from settlement processes. Wang stressed that China will not change its position on the matter.

Wang, however, expressed appreciation for the efforts of ASEAN countries to maintain stability in region. He said China will continue to cooperate with ASEAN nations to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) to uphold peace in the area.