Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Beijing.
The two sides have sat down to discuss a range of issues including the situation in the South China Sea.
At a joint news conference after the meeting, both Wang and Kerry stressed the importance of dialogue to resolve the dispute in the South China Sea.
Kerry urged China to help reduce tensions in the region.
"And I urged China through Foreign Minister Wang to take actions that will join with everybody in helping to reduce tensions and increase the prospect of diplomatic solutions. And I think we agree that the region needs smart diplomacy in order to conclude the ASEAN-China code of conduct and not outposts and military strips."
Wang Yi replied that China is determined to safeguard its sovereignty and looks to resolve differences through dialogue.
"I would like to reaffirm that China's determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity is as hard as a rock. It is the people's demand of the government and our legitimate right. With regard to construction on the Nansha islands and reefs, this is fully within the scope of China's sovereignty. But with regard to all parties' concerns, we are willing to increase mutual understanding through dialogue."
The South China Sea dispute is the latest source of friction between the world's two biggest economies.
For more on the joint statements and the situation in the South China Sea, we are now joined on the line by Mr. Lin Shaowen, CRI's senior political analyst.
