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Chinese FM expects U.S. to back resumption of China-Philippines talks over South China Sea

Xinhua, July 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that he expects the United States to take steps to support China and the Philippines in resuming their talks over the South China Sea issue.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of a foreign ministers' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Lao capital.

China and ASEAN released a joint statement on the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which meant the South China Sea issue could only be resolved by countries directly concerned through dialogue and consultation, he said.

According to the Chinese top diplomat, China and the United States share more common interests and their cooperation bears more strategic significance than ever before.

As two major countries, "both sides need to objectively calculate the strategic intention of each other," he said.

Wang called on the two countries to properly handle and manage their differences in a constructive manner.

He expressed the hope that both sides could enhance coordination in preparation for a meeting between presidents of China and the United States during a G20 summit in China's eastern city of Hangzhou in September, which he said will be of great significance in maintaining the healthy and steady development of China-U.S. relations as well as in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the world.

Calling U.S.-China ties one of "the most consequential bilateral relationships on the globe," Kerry said both sides have cooperated on such important issues as Iran nuclear issue, counter-terrorism and climate change.

"President Obama wants the G20 in Hangzhou to be a success. President Obama is very much looking forward to the visit to China," he added.

Kerry hoped that both countries could work to manage their differences in a thoughtful and effective way through cooperation, and pass on a good bilateral relationship to the next U.S. administration.

The United States will not take a position on an arbitral ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case, he said, adding that his country supports the resumption of talks between China and the Philippines.

The two top diplomats also exchanged views on situation of the Korean Peninsula and Syria. Endit