China has voiced its strongest warning in weeks to the United States on the South China Sea issue. It's urged the US to stay away from the issue, which is the spotlight of rising tensions between China and Southeastern countries in recent weeks.

It comes after the United States and Japan agreed to deal with the issue together with Southeastern nations in their just-concluded cabinet-level talks, and escalating tensions over the disputed waters.

Celebrating their 50 years of alliance, the United States and Japan are seeking greater influence in regional security. A joint statement was released after the Security meeting in Washington, setting new common strategic objectives with wider range.

Hillary Cliton, US Secretary of State, said, "Our agenda today embodied in the documents that we have just released reflects the breadth and depth of our alliance. We are cooperating more closely on a wider range of issues and challenges than ever before."

Apparently alluding to the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the statement urged the maintenance of maritime safety and security based on freedom of navigation.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto agreed to deal with the matter together with Southeast Asian nations, with Clinton saying China's naval activities are creating tension in the region, reported by Japanese media.

For China, it's an arm extended too far. The country voiced its most direct warning to Washington on Wednesday.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai urged the United States to leave the South China Sea dispute to the claimant states. And US involvement may make the situation worse. He said China is greatly concerned by frequent provocations by other parties in the waters.

Tensions in the South China Sea have risen in recent months after Vietnam held a live military drill in the waters. Vietnam and the Philippines took unilateral actions to occupy parts of the islands in recent decades, which have belonged to China's territory since ancient times.

China has long called for bilateral ways to resolve the disputes through dialogue. It believes foreign intervention may only complicate the already tense issue.

Cui Tiankai, Chinese Vice FM, said, "US should leave the South China Sea dispute to the claimant states. US involvement may make the situation worse."

"China was greatly concerned by frequent provocations by other parties in the waters."