Manila - China on Thursday warned the United States against interfering in disputes over the South China Sea, saying its involvement would further add to tensions in the area.
The US has called for a peaceful resolution of the overlapping claims and expressed concern that the disputes could hurt access to one of the world's busiest commercial sea lanes.
Chinese Ambassador to Manila Liu Jianchao said US 'words and actions' about the disputes already constitute meddling and were not helping resolve the situation.
'Involvement by a non-claimant will only result in further complication of the issue, which is not welcome,' he told a press conference.
Liu added that Washington's concern was unfounded since it was in the interest of claimant countries to keep the region stable and international sea routes free.
He reiterated calls for all claimant countries to refrain from taking actions that would upset peace and stability in the Spratly Islands, which Beijing calls Nansha.
On March 2, a Chinese patrol vessel harassed a Philippine oil exploration ship in an area near the Spratlys, prompting Manila to halt the survey and file a protest with Beijing.
China claims the entire Spratlys, which straddle key shipping lanes in the South China Sea and are believed to be rich in oil, marine and mineral resources.
Other claimants are the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.
In November 2002, the claimant countries signed an agreement to refrain from taking steps that could trigger conflict among them and to hold consultations on possible joint ventures.
In the past, disputes have erupted between the claimants over such incidents as Vietnamese troops shooting at a Philippine plane and the construction of concrete buildings by China on a shoal.
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