China 'not responsible' for disputes

BEIJING - China is not responsible for causing disputes in the South China Sea, Vice-Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said on Tuesday.

Cui was addressing questions on what message China will send to the upcoming first round of China-US consultations on the Asia-Pacific region, which will start on Saturday in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV.

"The South China Sea issue is not on the agenda of the consultation. But if the US side were to bring it up, China is willing to further define its stance - that is, we are not the creator of the disputes," Cui said.