After a private meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi showed no sign of backing down despite Kerry urging China to take action to reduce tension in the South China Sea.
"I would like to reaffirm that China's determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity is as hard as a rock," he said. "It is the people's demand of the government and our legitimate right."
For his part, Kerry said the United States had stated its concerns about the pace and scope of China's land reclamation in the sea.
He said Wang had agreed that the region needed "smart diplomacy" in order to conclude a code of conduct between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, "and not outposts and military scares".
While both countries have differences on the South China Sea, they are committed to freedom of navigation and peace and stability in the area, Wang said, adding that China hoped to continue a dialogue to improve understanding on the issue.
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