China today asked India and other countries to refrain from oil exploration in maritime areas offered by Vietnam in the South China Sea, claiming that it enjoys "indisputable sovereignty" there.

"I would like to reaffirm that China enjoys indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea and the island. China's stand is based on historical facts and international law," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu told a media briefing here without directly referring to India.

When pointed out the India's stand apparently was guided by Vietnam's claim that it had rights over the two oil blocks under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Seas, Jiang said China's sovereign rights and positions are formed in the course of history and this position has been held by Chinese Government for long.