China not Backing Down on South China Sea Dispute as US Seeks Resolution

The Chinese foreign minister, Wang Ji, on Saturday politely but pointedly dismissed Washington’s push for a diplomatic solution to ease tensions over Beijing’s assertive development in disputed parts of the South China Sea. Wang and secretary of state John Kerry stressed the importance of dialogue to resolve competing claims in the waterway. But neither diplomat showed any sign of giving ground over Chinese land reclamation projects that have alarmed the US and China’s smaller neighbours. The US and most members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations want a halt to the projects, which they suspect are aimed at building islands and other land features over which China can claim sovereignty.