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　　China announced Wednesday it has halted landreclamation work in the South China Sea. But otherAsian countries say China is simply moving to a newlevel in the territorial dispute: setting up buildingson the disputed islands.

　　Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made theannouncement during a visit to Malaysia. He isthere for meetings of the 10-member Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He called onChina's neighbors to speed up talks on howcountries with territorial claims to the South ChinaSea should act there. About $5 billion in trade passes through the disputed waters each year.

　　Chinese officials said in June China would soon complete some of its reclamation work on theSpratly Islands. The officials said that China would continue to develop the man-made islands.And, officials also said the islands would have undefined military purposes. They said theislands would be equipped to help with search-and-rescue operations at sea, disasterassistance and navigation.

　　Expressed concerns

　　The United States and Japan have expressed concern about Chinese expansion in the SouthChina Sea. The two countries suspect the development work is aimed at extending China'smilitary reach.

　　Earlier Wednesday, Mr. Wang and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met in the Malaysiancapital, Kuala Lumpur. During those talks, Secretary Kerry expressed concerns over China'sisland-building efforts in the South China Sea.

　　A State Department official said Mr. Kerry restated U.S. concerns about rising tensions overterritorial claims to the sea. He also voiced concerns about China's efforts to develop, set upbuildings and prepare the area for military uses.

　　Secretary Kerry spoke at the opening of the ASEAN-U.S. ministerial meeting. He said, "TheUnited States shares the frequently expressed desire of ASEAN members to preserve peaceand stability in the South China Sea."

　　China's foreign ministry reported that Mr. Wang told Mr. Kerry, "China is always committed toworking with the countries concerned to resolve disputes through peaceful negotiation."

　　Reclamation halted

　　When asked by a reporter whether China would temporarily halt its reclamation work in theSouth China Sea, Mr. Wang said, "China has already stopped. You just take an airplane to takea look."

　　However, a Philippine foreign ministry spokesman said China had stopped the reclamation workbecause it had already formed its new islands in the South China Sea.

　　Spokesman Charles Jose added, "At the same time, China announced they are moving on toPhase 2, which is construction of facilities on the reclaimed features. The Philippines viewsthese activities as destabilizing."

　　Minoru Kiuchi, Japan's top vice foreign minister, said in a statement that he "voiced deepconcern over unilateral actions that...heighten tensions in the South China Sea, including large-scale land reclamation, the construction of outposts, and their use for military purposes."

　　Recent satellite images show China has almost finished building a 3,000-meter-long airstrip onone of its seven new islands in the Spratlys.

　　Beijing claims most of the waters. But the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei alsohave territorial claims.

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