China on Friday warned Japan against interfering in the South China Sea row, as Beijing continues to beef up its diplomatic efforts in the wake of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration's verdict on the maritime dispute.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang communicated China's tough stance to Japan on the sidelines of a regional summit in Mongolia, according to Reuters. China has maintained a similarly tough stance against all other countries that are demanding that Beijing adheres to the ruling of the arbitration court.

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"Japan is not a state directly involved in the South China Sea issue, and thus should exercise caution in its own words and deeds, and stop hyping up and interfering,"

Japan's news agency Kyodo reported that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe had urged Li to respect the verdict on the South China Sea. Japan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Yasuhisa Kawamura said Abe "reiterated the fundamental positions regarding the South China Sea" in his meeting with Li.

Kawamura added that situation in the South China Sea concerns entire international community and tribunal's verdict on 12 July is legally binding on all parties involved in the maritime dispute.

Earlier this week, Chinese state-owned newspaper China Daily claimed that nearly 70 countries support China's stance on South China Sea issue. India, one of China's regional rivals, was listed among these countries.

Lao and Cambodia's Prime Ministers have openly voiced support for China during the ongoing regional summit in Mongolia, the South China Morning Post reported.              

China has categorically stated that it does not accept the verdict of Permanent Court of Arbitration, which has invalidated its claim over large portions of the South China Sea. The Chinese government claims that the verdict is a ploy by western countries led by America.

Tagschina, Japan, South China Sea, China and Japan, Li Keqiang