Former Chinese official says the region should avoid conflict

SINGAPORE - Former Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said on Friday that it is in the common interests of China, ASEAN and countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, to prevent the widening and complication of the issue and to avoid regional conflict and tension.

Delivering an opening keynote speech at the inaugural Singapore Global Dialogue organized by the S Rajaratnam School for International Studies, Tang said China is ready to continue to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with concerned countries to allow parties to settle the dispute peacefully through bilateral and friendly consultations.