Gates said the South China Sea was of "growing concern" due to territorial disputes that could pose a threat to free navigation and "economic development."

In a veiled warning to China, Gates alluded to Beijing's alleged threats against some US oil and gas companies interested in off-shore exploration in waters claimed by Vietnam.

"We object to any effort to intimidate US corporations or those of any nation engaged in legitimate economic activity," Gates said in a speech at the Shangri-La security conference in Singapore.

A US State Department official told a congressional committee last July that China demanded some American and foreign energy firms halt projects with Vietnamese partners or face possible commercial retaliation in China.

"Our policy is clear: it is essential that stability, freedom of navigation, and free and unhindered economic development be maintained," Gates said.

He said the United States would not take sides in the disputes and called for all countries to resolve territorial disagreements through "peaceful" means under international law.

Both China and Vietnam want to exploit possible oil and gas deposits beneath the South China Sea.

In written testimony last year, Scot Marciel, US deputy assistant secretary of state, told lawmakers: "Starting in the summer of 2007, China told a number of US and foreign oil and gas firms to stop exploration work with Vietnamese partners in the South China Sea or face unspecified consequences in their business dealings with China.")

China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei all claim sovereignty over parts of the South China Sea.

Chinese vessels last year confronted US naval surveillance ships in stand-offs in the South China Sea, with Beijing objecting to the presence of US ships in what it considers an official economic zone.

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