Xi Jinping uses tougher tone on South China Sea disputes at Asean meeting

Vice-President Xi Jinping told Asean leaders yesterday that China wanted "friendly" talks to resolve territorial disputes but would stand firm on issues of sovereignty.

Xi, expected to succeed Hu Jintao as party general secretary in a matter of weeks, outlined his regional policy stance to neighbouring members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

In a speech at the China-Asean Expo in Nanning , Guangxi , Xi said: "We are firm in safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and are committed to resolving differences with neighbours concerning territorial land, territorial sea and maritime rights and interests peacefully through friendly negotiations."

Mainland analysts said Xi, 59, appeared to have adopted a tougher tone than in previous statements by mainland officials by putting sovereignty before negotiations.

But he largely retained the approach established during Hu's reign by highlighting China's role in economic stability and development.

Professor Zhang Mingliang , an expert on South China Sea affairs at Jinan University, said: "Xi's statement on safeguarding sovereignty is obviously more assertive and explicit [than those in previous official speeches]."

But Xi did not explicitly mention territorial disputes in the South China Sea.