South China Sea issues are hurt by US: Experts

MANILA, Philippines - United States interference in the South China Sea territorial disputes between China and Southeast Asian countries is only going to make things worse, experts say.

US President Barack Obama and Southeast Asian leaders will call for the peaceful settlement of South China Sea territorial disputes and urge claimants not to resort to force, according to a draft communiqu quoted by AP.

"The US is in no position to intervene as an outsider of the area," said Xu Liping of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, adding that Washington has never before voiced such opinions.