China's President: Let's set aside sea disputes for development

BEIJING — China's president said at a high-level meeting Wednesday that Beijing would put aside territorial disputes and seek joint maritime development in disputed waters, though he insisted that China would not give up its sovereignty claims.

Xi Jinping made the remarks at a Politburo meeting, according to state-run China Central Television. The comments are a sign that China is seeking to find common ground with neighboring countries with which it has territorial disputes.

Beijing has grown more assertive in its maritime claims in recent years, and territorial disputes have flared up between China and its eastern and southern neighbors.

Xi said China would not sacrifice its core interests, but would peacefully resolve disputes with its neighbors through negotiations.

"We love peace and will take the road of peaceful development, but we will not give up our legitimate interests and cannot sacrifice the national core interests," Xi said. "We must insist that the sovereignty belongs to us, but we can shelve the disputes, pursue joint development, promote mutually beneficial, friendly cooperation, and seek and widen common interests."

Xi's comments came after the U.S. Senate approved a resolution Monday calling for a peaceful solution to the disputes in the East and South China Seas. The resolution says China has made moves that have fueled tensions, including sending ships to disputed waters and setting up a new military garrison.

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The resolution drew criticism from Chinese state media, which said that China should not be blamed for rising regional tensions and that the U.S. should urge its allies to cease provocations.