US concerned over China's Spratlys garrison plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is criticizing Chinese plans for a military garrison on an island in the contested South China Sea and says all claimants should resolve their disputes through diplomacy.

China Tuesday declared a new municipality on tiny Yongxing island, a move opposed by Vietnam and the Philippines.

Prominent U.S. senators have declared the Chinese move as provocative and a possible violation of international law.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters Thursday the U.S. was pressing all parties to work on a code of conduct for the South China Sea.

Asked about China's plans, Nuland said the U.S. was concerned by "unilateral moves."

She said: "There's a concern here that they are beginning to take actions when we want to see all of these issues resolved at the table."