Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei says only those countries with territorial claims in the vast resource-rich waters should get involved in such discussions.
Hong told at a Tuesday news conference that China will assert its claim to the entire sea and its island groups but won’t use force to resolve disputes or impede navigation. He condemned actions that expand and complicate the dispute.
Both Vietnam and the Philippines have complained over recent days of Chinese harassment at sea.
US Sen. Jim Webb said Monday that Washington needs to condemn China’s use of force and facilitate talks on the dispute.