Beijing has told Australia and other nations to “stop stirring up trouble” over the South China Sea, as diplomatic tensions escalate over the rising Asian power’s expansive claims in the strategically important territory.

Over the weekend 14 countries issued a joint statement criticising China’s “destabilising” actions in the contested waters, marking exactly a decade since a landmark ruling by the Hague which backed a legal claim by Philippines in the dispute.

Australia, the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovenia together urged parties to abide by the 2016 decision.

“We reiterate our strong opposition to any destabilising or unilateral actions including by force or coercion that threaten peace and stability in the region,” the signatories stated, just days after China test fired a nuclear-capable missile into the Pacific.

“We reaffirm our strong opposition to the use of coast guard, military, and maritime militia forces to harass, obstruct, or intimidate lawful operations by other States at sea or in the air,” the statement said.

“We urge the parties to abide by the 2016 Award and resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms in accordance with international law. We remain steadfast in our support for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Beijing has hit back at the joint statement, reaffirming its firm opposition to the 2016 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, calling it “a worthless piece of paper” that has “provided a pretext for external forces to intervene and destabilise the South China Sea”.

“China firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea and remains steadfast in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing said.

“Relevant countries (should) earnestly respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop stirring up trouble over the South China Sea issue, and cease undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

China has particularly taken aim at Tokyo over the maritime dispute, with the Foreign Ministry summoning the chief minister of Japan’s embassy in Beijing to lodge a “strong protest” over the country’s diplomatic comments.

Beijing also criticised Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for “attacking China’s lawful claims” and “mischaracterising” Japan as a legitimate stakeholder who uses the South China Sea.

Asked about Beijing’s response to the joint statement, the Japanese Government’s top spokesperson said Tokyo has “consistently advocated for the maintenance and strengthening of the rule of law at sea”.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra is yet to confirm whether any similar action was taken against Australian diplomatic representatives in Beijing.

Retired Australian Army Major General Gus McLachlan argues this country’s rhetoric on the South China Sea must be matched by greater military preparedness, particularly investment in naval capability.

“I think our opinion might be of more interest to China if we had a surface fleet that was not declining for another eight years and an ageing submarine force that struggles to get to sea,” the defence expert wrote.

Just last week China drew regional condemnation after testing a long-range ballistic missile in the Pacific nuclear-free zone on the same day the Ocean of Peace Alliance treaty was signed between Australia and Fiji.

The submarine launched weapon splashed down near Tuvalu, which is one of the few remaining nations to maintain a formal diplomatic alliance with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the deliberate Chinese action had affected Beijing’s standing in the region.