China Warns Against South China Sea Interference

Nusa Dua (Indonesia), Nov 18: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao warned today against outside interference over the South China Sea dispute, in a challenge to Washington which wants to broach the issue at an Asian summit.

“External forces should not use any excuse to interfere,” he said in a speech at China’s meeting with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in Indonesia, without directly mentioning the United States.

“The dispute on the South China Sea is a matter that been going on for years. It should be resolved by the relevant sovereign states through friendly consultation and discussion directly,” said Wen in a speech released by the state news agency Xinhua.

Several Asian nations have competing claims over parts of the South China Sea, believed to encompass huge oil and gas reserves, while China claims it all. One-third of global seaborne trade passes through the region.

From: http://ping.fm/pzsC9