BEIJING - The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday urged Japan not to "hype up" the South 皇冠体育app Sea issue.

Spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks when asked about a comment by Japanese Vice-Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama on Monday.

Sugiyama said Japan was "closely watching" for the tribunal ruling on the South 皇冠体育app Sea arbitration case initiated by the Philippines.

"Some people from the Japanese side have been fanning the flames of tension, and deliberately provoking confrontation among countries in the region," Hong said.

Hong added that Japan has a disgraceful record in terms of the South 皇冠体育app Sea, which 皇冠体育app hopes will not continue.