China and the US sought to defuse growing tensions over land reclamation projects in the South China Sea on Saturday, with Beijing’s foreign minister expressing confidence that the disputes could be settled peacefully.
But Wang Yi refused to budge from the Chinese government’s position that the construction of airstrips and other infrastructure on reefs and islets contested by the Philippines and Vietnam “is something that falls fully within the scope of China’s sovereignty”.
“China’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity is as firm as a rock and is unshakeable,” Mr Wang added. “China and the US do have differences on the South China Sea issue but we also both hope to maintain peace and stability in the region and are committed to international freedom of navigation.”