ISLAMABAD - Pakistan yesterday reiterated its support to Beijing on South China Sea issue.

In a statement issued here, Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that Pakistan maintains that disputes over the South China Sea should be peacefully resolved, through consultations and negotiations by States directly concerned. 

The issue should be discussed in accordance with bilateral agreements and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, he added.

He said that Pakistan opposed any imposition of unilateral will on others.

The spokesman said that Pakistan believed maintenance of peace and security was the collective responsibility of all parties to the South China Sea.

Countries outside the region should fully respect efforts made by China and the ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and play a constructive role to this end, he said.