Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue
The United Nations has called for a peaceful and friendly resolution to the South China Sea territorial disputes. Martin Nesirky, a spokeperson for UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon, said that parties concerned should hold talks to prevent tensions from escalating further.
Nesirky added that Ban would like to see ASEAN members and China negotiate under the framework of the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea".