China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi revealed on Friday that Beijing wants the upcoming G20 Summit to focus on economic issues and not territorial disputes. Experts have intepreted this as a veiled warning to the international community not to raise the South China Sea issue at the high profile summit.        

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"If certain countries, because of political aims, insert concrete issues like problems left over from history or disputes over territory or sovereignty into the G20, not only will this not benefit the issues' resolution, it could impact upon the regional situation and stability and is inadvisable," Wang told reporters.    

China will host this year's G20 Summit in September where several global leaders including US President Barack Obama will gather to address  geopolitical issues confronting the world.  

Wang expressed unhappiness over the fact that the upcoming G7 Summit - to be held in Japan in May - will be focusing on political issues, including the South China Sea dispute.

"We hope that the G7 can be like the G20 and concentrate on economic and development topics countries of the world are the most focused on," Wang said.      

Last month, China requested Japan not to raise South China Sea issue at the G7 Summit, but Tokyo outrightly rejected Beijing's demand.  

In recent months, China has come under severe criticism from its neighbors and the international community over its assertive actions in the South China Sea.

China is claiming a large part of the energy rich South China Sea, but faces competing claims from five of its small neighbors - Brunei, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam.

Tagschina, G20 summit, South China Sea