Beijing tries to soothe sea jitters

BEIJING: Beijing sought to soothe tensions over its South China Sea claims Saturday, saying it will avoid the use of force in the region as the US ponders sending war ships close to territory claimed by the Asian giant.

Speaking at the Xiangshan regional defense forum in Beijing, Fan Changlong, vice-chair of China’s Central Military Commission, pledged that the country would “never recklessly resort to the use of force, even on issues bearing on sovereignty.”