CHINA REITERATES WILLINGNESS TO PROPERLY RESOLVE SPRATLYS ISSUE

By Tham Choy Lin

BEIJING, March 7 (Bernama) -- China is willing to properly resolve disputes
through consultations over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, said its
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

"We hope relevant parties will earnestly abide by the Declaration on the
Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and refrain from taking action that
may complicate or expand disputes to safeguard regional peace and stability," he
said in a statement posted on the ministry's website.

The Spratly Islands, a group of more than 650 reefs, islets, atolls, cays
and islands, are wholly or partly claimed by China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan,
the Philippines and Brunei.

-- BERNAMA