A spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry has urged relevant countries to stop interfering in maritime issues in China's neighborhood, calling attempts to form exclusive groupings, hype tensions and provoke confrontation unpopular.

Mao Ning made the remarks on Wednesday after the foreign ministers of the United States, India, Japan and Australia — members of the Quad grouping — expressed concern over the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

"The current situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea remains generally stable, and there is no problem with the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all countries in accordance with the law," Mao said at a regular news briefing.

She added that the countries involved should respect the efforts countries in the region are making to safeguard peace and stability.