AU official calls for resolving South China Sea disputes via dialogue

Source: Xinhua |

An aerial photo taken on Sept. 25, 2015 from a seaplane of Hainan Maritime Safety Administration shows cruise  vessel Haixun 1103 heading to the Yacheng 13-1 drilling rig during a patrol in south China Sea. (Xinhua/Zhao  Yingquan) ADDIS ABABA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- African Union (AU) Commission Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha has urged the countries directly concerned to embrace dialogue and peacefully resolve their disputes over the South China Sea. The sovereign countries directly concerned should give consultations and negotiations a  chance, in accordance with international law, to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, said Mwencha when meeting with Chen Xufeng, charge d'affaires ad interim of  the Chinese Mission to the AU on Tuesday in Addis Ababa. "It is important to seek peaceful means to settle the territorial and maritime jurisdictional disputes through friendly consultations and negotiations, in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as well as to enhance the  mutual trust for peace and stability," Mwencha said. During the meeting, Mwencha and Chen discussed issues of mutual interest and exchanged  views on China-AU cooperation.