China opposes US Senate resolution on Asia-Pacific disputes

A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Thursday voiced strong opposition to a recent US Senate resolution regarding territorial issues in the Asia-Pacific region, saying it will not help to resolve such issues.

The Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate on Tuesday passed a legally unbinding resolution that voices strong support for the peaceful resolution of territorial and judicial disputes in Asia-Pacific waters. The resolution also condemns countries that raise claims on or change the existing state of disputed waters and territories by means of coercion, threats or force.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China is closely watching the resolution.

"The Chinese side is strongly opposed to it," she said.

"We believe that the opinion it expresses intentionally neglects history and the current situation, sends the wrong signal and is not conducive to properly addressing and resolving related issues," Hua said.

"We urge members of the US Congress to abandon prejudice, have a clear view on right and wrong and stop moving forward with the resolution so as not to complicate the situation," Hua said.