China warned the United States on Tuesday to stop interfering in the disputes over the South China Sea and leave the involved nations to resolve the dispute on their own, after Washington had urged for a freeze on aggravating tensions in the region.

The U.S. had earlier called for the Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China to discuss the regulations on self-restraint detailed in the Declaration of Conduct signed in 2002, with the intent to sign a new maritime Code of Conduct, according to U.S. Strategy and Multilateral Affairs deputy assistant secretary of state Michael Fuchs.

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In a statement released on Tuesday, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its irrefutable sovereignty over the contested Spratly Islands where most of the opposing claims overlap.

Beijing would resolutely defend its sovereignty and maritime rights and ordered that all equipment and personnel stationed illegally in the islands to be pulled out immediately, it said.

It also noted the country's commitment to resolve the conflict through continued dialogue with rival nations, adding that it has always asserted its claims based on historical data and international law.

In reference to the United States, the ministry called for neutrality from countries not directly involved in the disputes. It also urged other countries to respect efforts by Southeast Asian nations to resolve the matter on their own in order to maintain peace and stability in the region, Reuters reported.

Beijing said that China and the ASEAN are complying with the 2002 Declaration of Conduct and that talks on a new Code of Conduct are "steadily pushing forward."

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve seven sovereign nations - Brunei, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

China lays claim to nearly 90 percent of the disputed waters despite most of them being nearer to shores of competing countries.

Interests over the contested territories include potential exploitation of oil, mineral and gas deposits and control over strategic shipping lanes.

Tagsmaritime dispute, contested waters, Michael Fuchs, Declaration of Conduct, Code of Conduct, ASEAN, china philippines dispute, china vietnam dispute, Paracel Islands, us china, sea dispute