U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has wrapped up regional meetings in Asia with a call for southeast Asian nations to work “collaboratively and diplomatically” to resolve territorial disputes, such as disagreements over the South China Sea.

At a news conference Thursday, Clinton said all parties involved in claims to the disputed waters should refrain from issuing threats and instead work for a dialogue within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

After Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met earlier with Clinton, U.S. officials said he cautiously signaled his country's willingness to take part in negotiations on the territorial dispute as early as September.

Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam claim all or part of the South China Sea, with its vast fishing grounds and potential oil and gas deposits.