Washington should not take sides, but look at 'rights, wrongs' in S. China Sea issue, official says

A senior Chinese diplomat urged Washington on Thursday to stick to its promise of not taking sides on the South China Sea issue, ahead of the annual highest-level Sino-US dialogue.

At the Lanting Forum ahead of next week's Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Beijing, Vice-Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang also called for the United States not to make its South China Sea policy decisions based merely on "whether somebody is an ally or not".

"In fact, the United States is not a claimant in the South China Sea dispute, and it has said it takes no position on territorial disputes," Zheng said.

"So we hope the US can stick to its promise and not choose sides, and instead base its stance on the rights and wrongs of the case," he added.

"I think if Washington can do this and stop provocative acts targeting China's sovereignty and security interests, then the US can play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea" and help defuse the tension on the issue.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi will discuss the South China Sea with US Secretary of State John Kerry at the Strategic and Economic Dialogue, Zheng added.

Zheng also said that China and the US will hold the sixth Strategic Security Dialogue on Sunday, which will be co-chaired by Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui and US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

He said representatives of the two militaries and relevant departments will "have in-depth discussions" on issues including sovereignty, maritime and outer space security and military relations.