China urges Vietnam, India to pursue peaceful actions

BEIJING - China on Friday urged Vietnam and India to take positive steps toward regional stability, in response to a deal on oil exploration in the South China Sea the two nations signed earlier this week.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Islands and the surrounding waters. Our stance and related claims are constant and clear," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a regular news conference.

"We have noticed the reports (on the oil exploration deal) and hope related parties instead take positive steps to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea area," he said.