JOHANNESBURG - South Africa has noted with concern the recent trend in the global arena to politicise the situation pertaining to the South China Sea, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said on Wednesday.

"South Africa supports the position that the sovereign states that are directly concerned should resolve their relevant disputes through direct consultations and negotiations, on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law, as well as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea," DIRCO said in a statement.

"South Africa believes that the international community should support all efforts aimed at safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea," the statement said.

Many other countries, including Russia, India, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Fiji, Uganda, Sudan, Gambia, Algeria, Comoros, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sierra Leone, Kenya and etc., have voiced support for China's position of dealing with the South China Sea dispute between the direct parties through peaceful negotiations.