China on Monday said India “did not have to worry” about recent tensions in the South China Sea sparked by a stand-off between Chinese and Vietnamese vessels.
Beijing's comments were in response to last week's statement by New Delhi that it viewed the recent developments with “concern”. The tensions last week were triggered by the deployment of an oil rig by China in waters disputed by Vietnam.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that India, which expressed concern over recent developments, had no reason to do so.
“I have so many times stated China’s position on the South China Sea. I wish to tell Indian people that they may not worry too much about the current situation,” she said, adding that “China and ASEAN have important consensus and confidence to uphold peace and stability in this region.”
Meeting in Myanmar, ASEAN foreign ministers called on all parties to resolve disputes peacefully.
