NUSA DUA (Indonesia), Nov 16: The United States and China appeared headed on Wednesday for a confrontation over the South China Sea at this week’s East Asia Summit, as they traded warnings over the territorial dispute.

China has caused disquiet in Washington and Asian capitals with its broad claims over the South China Sea, which encompasses vital shipping lanes and is believed to sit atop vast oil and mineral reserves.

The US has signalled it will raise the issue at this week’s talks on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, despite Beijing insisting it is not an appropriate topic for discussion.—AFP