BEIJING - The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday urged Japan not to "hype up" the South China 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 China 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 China Sea, which China hopes will not continue.