Dispute In S.China Sea Should Be Resolved Through Negotiation

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- The dispute in the South China Sea, involving several countries, should be resolved through negotiation and not using military force, Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Saturday. He said the matter was raised during his visit to China on Dec 17 to 21. "China does not want the third world countries to be involved, directly or indirectly, with the overlapping claims in the South China Sea to avoid a rift," he told reporters after a motorcycle riding programme in the city here. He said another motorcycle riding programme would be organised in the Klang Valley in March 2012. Prime Minister Najib Razak might participate in the programme. "We will be in the Klang Valley together with 5,000 high, medium and low-powered motorcycles," he added. -- BERNAMA