Full coverage: South China Sea Is Indisputable Part of China

China has urged the US to honor its commitment of not taking sides on the territorial disputes over the South China Sea. Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang gave the remark ahead of the upcoming Eighth Round of China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue next week in Beijing. It was reported that US Secretary of State John Kerry wanted to discuss the South China Sea issue during the two-day meeting.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang speaks at the 16th Lanting Forum in Beijing on Thursday, 2nd June 2016. The theme of the 16th Lanting Forum is "U.S.-China Relations: Direction and Dynamics". [Photo: CRI Online]

"The islands in the South China Sea have been part of the Chinese territory since ancient times. China has the right to safeguard its own territorial sovereignty and legitimate maritime rights and interests. We have remained committed to safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea. We also persisted in managing disputes through dialogue and settling the issue peacefully through negotiation and consultation, so as to realize mutual benefits and a win-win scenario. China hopes the United States would honor its commitment of not taking sides and fix its stand according to what is right or wrong, not according to allies," Zheng said.