US, China refuse to budge over South China land reclamation activities

The United States and China have refused to budge from their respective positions over the latter's land reclamation activities in the disputed territories of South China Sea, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Ji "politely but pointedly" declining Washington's push for a diplomatic solution to ease the tensions.

While voicing U.S.' concern over China's land reclamation in the South China Sea, Secretary of State John Kerry urged China to expedite talks with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on guidelines for handling maritime activity in disputed areas. He added that the goal was to "reduce tensions and increase the prospect of diplomatic solutions."

Addressing a joint press conference with Wang, Kerry said that both the leaders agreed that the region needed smart diplomacy in order to conclude the ASEAN-China code of conduct and not outposts and military strips.

Wang, on the other hand, indicated that China was open to talks but would not back down on the construction that fell fully "within the scope of China's sovereignty." He added that the determination of the Chinese side to safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity was "as firm as a rock" and was "unshakable."

Wang also noted that the differences between China and the U.S. could be tackled "as long as we can avoid misunderstanding and, even more importantly, avoid miscalculation."

The South China Sea is the subject of territorial claims with China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam disputing sovereignty of several island chains and nearby waters.

China has consistently resorted to history to stake territorial claims in the sea and objects to "U.S. interference."

The U.S. is not a claimant of territory in the South China Sea but says it has a national interest in the peaceful resolution of the conflict for world trade.