The Quad summit has wrapped up with a call to keep the Indo-Pacific safe from a conflict like the one unfolding in Ukraine.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said all four members of the group are united on this point even though India has never publicly condemned Russia.

Kishida said, "Regarding the situation in Ukraine, the leaders of all four countries, including India, reaffirmed the importance of the principles such as the rule of law as well as sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have the shared belief that any similar, unilateral change of the status quo cannot be tolerated, in any region."

Japan chaired the meeting of leaders from the US, Australia and India.

All are concerned about the South and East China Seas where Beijing is growing more assertive.

The Quad's final statement didn't mention China by name.

But Beijing got the message, and lashed out just a day after a comment by US President Joe Biden on defending Taiwan made headlines around the world.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, "We urge the nations concerned not to threaten efforts to establish peaceful, stable and cooperative maritime order by airing groundless criticism and inciting a confrontation with their small group."

As the Quad leaders met, China and Russia reportedly sent bombers to nearby skies.

Japan's Defense Ministry says it scrambled jets in response. None of the foreign aircraft entered Japanese air space.

Officials in Tokyo say they used diplomatic channels to convey deep concern over the incident to Beijing.