Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday elaborated on China's position on regional situation and the South China Sea issue.

At a closed-door session of the East Asia Summit held in Phnom Penh, Wen said that in contrast with some other regions in the world where disputes, conflicts or even wars have persisted in the past decades, East Asia has generally remained peaceful and stable.

The situation, Wen said, has created favorable conditions for economic development in the region.

Citing the host country as a fine example, the Chinese premier said Cambodia has taken on a new look after 20 years of hard work of the Cambodians in peaceful circumstances.

"At the current East Asia Summit, we make concerted efforts to seek cooperation in order for more countries to take better advantage of East Asia's economic development," he said.

China welcomes the constructive efforts made by various countries to promote cooperation in East Asia and values the favorable conditions of peace, stability, prosperity and development in the region, Wen said.

China disapproves of any attempt at the summit to highlight territorial and maritime disputes and exaggerate tense atmosphere, he said.

In response to the mentioning of the Huangyan Island at the East Asia Summit, Wen said that the Huangyan Island is an integral part of Chinese territory and that its sovereignty is indisputable.

China's actions to defend the island's sovereignty are legitimate and necessary, and China's stance on the South China Sea issue is clear and consistent, he said.

As a continental and maritime country, China attaches importance to the peace, stability, free navigation and security in the South China Sea, Wen said, adding that free navigation and security are fully guaranteed in the sea.

China hopes that the international sea routes across the South China Sea would be better used as the world economy recovers, he said.

China pursues good neighborliness and remains committed to safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea. China has also properly handled some emergencies which were not initiated by China, he said.

China and countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed on important principles and reached consensus when signing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea 10 years ago, including agreeing not to internationalize the South China Sea issue, Wen said.

At the China-ASEAN summit, he said, he has conducted fruitful discussions with leaders of ASEAN countries, hoping to implement the declaration in a comprehensive and effective manner and build up consensus so as to create conditions for the start of talks on the drafting of a code of conduct in the South China Sea.

Wen said that China is ready to work with other countries to strive to maintain the hard-won cooperative atmosphere and make unremitting efforts to promote lasting peace and prosperity in East Asia.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2012)