China on Friday restated its concerns on a recent U.S. naval patrol in the South China Sea, calling for avoidance of unnecessary interference in the development of a stable and healthy bilateral ties, said the nation's foreign minister.
The U.S. naval ship actions in the South China Sea has damaged mutual trust and caused regional tensions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Wang also urged the U.S. to return as soon as possible to the correct path of properly handling the disputes through dialogue and consultation, according to the foreign ministry website.
Wang said that China and the U.S. should enhance coordination to focus on implementation of the consensuses reached by two state leaders during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S. in September. He also called for a stable and sound development of Sino-U.S. ties, while expressing the hope for no unnecessary interference in the process.
U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited a U.S. aircraft carrier in the South China Sea on Thursday, after the U.S. destroyer USS Lassen sailed within 12 nautical miles of Zhubi Reef on October 27. The mission also reportedly passed by Meiji Reef, which China claims as part of the Nansha Islands.
The two senior officials also exchanged opinions on Iran and Syria.
