CHINA has warned the United States to leave countries in the region to resolve disputes in the South China Sea themselves after the US declared it wanted an end to the rising tension in the region.
But at the same time, the Chinese oil rig that provoked riots in Vietnam ended exploratory work near the disputed Paracel islands, moving to the Hainan Lingshui Project Operations, reported Xinhua.
US deputy assistant secretary of state Michael Fuchs had provoked Chinese reaction, said Reuters, by saying "provocative and unilateral" behaviour by China had raised questions about its willingness to abide by international law.
China claims 90 per cent of the South China Sea, which is believed to contain oil and gas deposits and has rich fishery resources. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also lay claim to parts of the sea.
Said China's foreign ministry: "Certain countries have in recent years have strengthened their illegal presence through construction and increased arms build up."
China "hopes countries outside the region will maintain their neutrality and earnestly respect the joint efforts of countries in the region to maintain regional peace and stability".
The US wants the 10-nation Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China to have "a real and substantive discussion" to flesh out a call for self-restraint contained in a Declaration of Conduct.
A US official said the issue surfaced last week with China at an annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue, over tensions where about US$5 trillion of ship-borne trade passes every year.
Relations between China and the Philippines have also been tense and the foreign ministry in Manila said the Philippines backs the American call for all sides to stop aggravating the tension.
China's Foreign Ministry said that it and ASEAN were carrying out the Declaration of Conduct and "steadily pushing forward" talks on the Code of Conduct.
WORLD SHIPPING
17 July 2014 - 19:01
China tells US to stay out of South China Seas maritime disputes
CHINA has warned the United States to leave countries in the region to resolve disputes in the South China Sea themselves after the US declared it wanted an end to the rising tension in the region.
WORLD SHIPPING
17 July 2014 - 19:01
China tells US to stay out of South China Seas maritime disputes
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