China's Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi has revealed that China will not discuss its territorial dispute with neighboring countries over the South China Sea at the 48^th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Wang was addressing the press in Singapore on Monday when he made this comment.  He said, from experience, China has found out that multilateral forums are not the ideal place to settle disputes.

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On the contrary, U.S. officials have noted that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting would provide a platform for neighboring countries to express their concerns directly to China. The 48^th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting kicks off in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Aug 4.

Mark Toner, U.S. State Department deputy spokesman said "critical security issues" such as the South China Sea dispute would be tabled at the meeting.

China has resisted the involvement of third-parties in the resolution of the South China Sea dispute. Authorities have refused to participate in a proceeding initiated by the Philippines at The Hague over the maritime territorial conflict. Recently, China's defense ministry warned the U.S. against meddling in the issue and taking sides with the Philippines. Japan was also accused of interfering in the dispute after Japan's latest defense white paper highlighted China's activities in the East China Sea as well as the South China Sea.

While critics accuse China of intransigence over the South China Sea issue, Chinese officials have reiterated the government's willingness to resolve the issue through bilateral negotiations.

According to Wang, China and ASEAN have laid out a "dual-track approach" to resolve the South China Sea dispute. He also underscored the progress made in the implementation of the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties as well as the formulation of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.

Wang condemned attempts to sensationalize the South China Sea dispute and make false accusations. The foreign ministry reported Wang explaining that China will not "accept any so-called initiative that promotes double-standard under the disguise of justice."

He said China would continue to respects its commitments regarding the South China Sea issue, including resolving the conflict peacefully through bilateral talks and permitting free sea navigation and flights over the area.

Tags48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers