BEIJING, Jan.23 (Xinhuanet) -- China has stressed bilateral talks with the Philippines to settle the island dispute. The announcement came after the Philippine government brought disputes in the South China Sea to an Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea.

The Philippine Foreign Secretary said on Tuesday that the initiation of Arbitral Proceedings against China on the nine-dash line is to carry on President Aquino’s policy for a peaceful and rules-based resolution in the South China Sea in accordance with international law. It also said Arbitral Proceedings were initiated to "clearly establish the

sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines over its maritime entitlements" in the South China Sea.

China says it is committed to working with the countries concerned, for a proper settlement of the disputes related to the South China Sea through peaceful negotiations.

The Chinese Government has always stood for a negotiated settlement of international disputes through peaceful means. In this spirit, China has solved territorial disputes and demarcated borders with some neighbouring countries through bilateral consultations and negotiations in an equitable, reasonable and amicable manner.

(Source: CNTV.cn)