Manila: The Philippines is pushing for unprecedented talks on one of the Asia's most volatile territorial disputes at regional meetings this week. China opposes discussing claims to the South China Sea at the East Asian Summit.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Tuesday that the Philippines also wants the U.N. to arbitrate the disputes involving China and five other countries.
China wants individual negotiations to settle the claims in the potentially oil-rich region.
Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said that China hopes the issue will not be discussed at the summit in Bali, which follows a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders.
The Philippines and Vietnam say Chinese vessels have tried to sabotage their oil explorations in the disputed waters.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 13:13