Meeting re Obama and Xi relieves South Sea China tensions

Beijing - The meeting between the presidents of China, Xi Jinping, and the United States, Barack Obama in Washington last week helped ease tensions over disputes in the South China Sea, said the Chinese foreign minister, according to state media said on Monday.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which about 5 trillion dollars in maritime trade annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims.

"The Americans said they will not take sides, then it should not be a problem for the relationship between China and US," said Wang Yi, according to the China Daily report.

Relations between China and the US will continue to develop peacefully after the election of a new US president in November, said Wang, according to the state-run newspaper.

But tensions could increase again if the US start another expedition navigation freedom in the South China Sea, a source told Reuters that is scheduled for this month. Other US officials said an exercise is imminent.