Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Wednesday that relevant parties should carry out the principle of joint exploitation while putting aside differences in handling the South China Sea dispute.

Yang made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), or the parliament.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and adjacent waters, Yang said.

"We actively advocate the handling of disputes under the principle of joint exploitation while putting aside differences," Yang said, adding China holds that all countries are equal, regardless their size, strength and wealth.

"China is willing to develop relations with other countries on the basis of peaceful coexistence and other international norms," Yang said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2008)