Beijing, June 22 (ANI): China's Vice-Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai has said the country is not responsible for disputes in the South China Sea.
"The South China Sea issue is not on the agenda of the consultation. But if the US side were to bring it up, China is willing to further define its stance - that is, we are not the creator of the disputes," the China Daily quoted Tiankai, as saying.
"Though there have been some disconcerting trends in the area, they are not caused by China in the first place, and we are not changing our view on the issue. We hope other countries can take a restrained, responsible, and constructive attitude toward the issue together with us," said Tiankai.
"We don't want such disputes to affect the stability of the region, or relations between the countries involved," he added.
Tiankai made the remarks while addressing questions on what message China will send to the upcoming first round of China-US consultations on the Asia-Pacific region, which will start on Saturday in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Tiankai and US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will co-host the consultations, and the two countries will exchange views on the situation in the region and other issues of mutual concern. (ANI)
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