China Daily also reports that a meeting by senior officials of China and ASEAN member states on the South China Sea issue is to be kicked off in Beijing on Friday.

BBC: China morning round-up: Inflation and economy discussed

Regarding the South China Sea issue, Kissinger said that freedom of navigation in the area, in which the US has claimed national interests, is a separate issue apart from the territorial disputes between countries in the region.

FORBES: Kissinger: US-China Not Competing for World Domination

Invariably -- inevitably, the leaders will want to discuss the salient strategic and security issue facing the region, which is the issue stemming from the competing territorial claims in the South China Sea.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

Even before the mid-air collision over the South China Sea caused more turbulence in Beijing-Washington relations, the arms issue was making its own waves.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Needed: A Real Commitment to Taiwan

One example that I mentioned in our bilateral meeting was the issue of the South China Sea and how various maritime issues, conflicts, can get resolved in a peaceful fashion.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama and President Yudhoyono Press Availability | The White House

Members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), alarmed by China's vague, unexplained but sweeping claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, encouraged America to involve itself in the issue.

ECONOMIST: Banyan

Chinese belligerence over the South China Sea has backfired in recent years by pushing neighbours closer to America, but the issue has shown little sign of igniting a broader outbreak of jingoistic sentiment back home.

ECONOMIST: Nationalism online