Neighboring countries urged not to stir tensions

Experts said nations should resort to dialogue to resolve territorial disputes

Amid escalating tensions in the South and East China seas, a senior Chinese military officer told smaller countries - emboldened by backing from other major world powers - not to stir up trouble.

"We have to protect our drilling rig," Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, told reporters on Sunday when responding to questions about the China-Vietnam standoff over a Chinese oil rig in the South China Sea.