China warns US to keep out of West Philippine Sea dispute

China's first aircraft carrier is under restoration in a shipyard in Dalian in northeastern China's Liaoning province. AP File Photo

BEIJING—China is urging the United States to stay out of territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) but said if it does get involved then it should ensure that other countries do not provoke conflicts.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said Wednesday that Washington risks getting drawn into a conflict over the competing claims should tensions in the region rise further.

Tensions over rival claims to islands and reefs in the West Philippine Sea have recently flared, with Vietnam and the Philippines reporting Chinese incursions and provocations and Beijing responding by accusing the others of provocative acts.

Washington views the sea lanes as strategically important, and Vietnam has encouraged the United States to get involved.