Dragging US into dispute 'not the solution'

The Philippines should not rely on the United States to resolve South China Sea disputes because it will go not to war with China over the issue, a renowned Singaporean scholar said on Monday.

China-Philippines maritime disputes are not core interests of the US, but they are for China, and China will fight for its national interests, said Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at National University of Singapore.

"I don't think the US will fight a war with China over this case. Not only because of its domestic policies, but also its resources," he said on the sidelines of a think tank seminar on the South China Sea held in Singapore.