China pledges free navigation

China pledges free navigation

MANILA (Reuters): China pledged on Monday to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea where it is locked in disputes with five other nations over ownership of islands.

China's ambassador in Manila Fu Ying said keeping the South China Sea -- regarded as one of the world's most vital shipping lanes -- free and safe for navigation was in the interest of China, Japan, the United States and other countries in the region.

U.S. officials have said it is critical to keep the South China Sea open for navigation in the face of territorial disputes involving China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

Tension flared in the area last year when the Philippines accused China of building a potential military garrison on a reef in the Spratly islands. Beijing says the facilities are shelters for fishermen.