Wang's remarks at a regional meeting in Kuala Lumpur appeared designed to defuse tensions with other countries that lay claim to parts of the sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year.
The United States and Japan have expressed alarm at China's expansion in the South China Sea, which they suspect is aimed at extending its military reach, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry raised the issue with Wang in the Malaysian capital.
"China is always committed to working with the countries concerned to resolve disputes through peaceful negotiation," Wang told Kerry, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry.
"Countries that are not in the region should respect the efforts made by China and ASEAN countries."
When asked by a reporter whether China would temporarily halt reclamation work in the strategic waterway, he replied: "China has already stopped. You just take an aeroplane to take a look."
Philippine foreign ministry spokesman Charles Jose said China had stopped reclamation because it had already formed its new islands.
"At the same time, China announced they are moving on to Phase 2, which is construction of facilities on the reclaimed features. The Philippines views these activities as destabilizing," Jose said.
In a statement, Japan's senior vice foreign minister Minoru Kiuchi "voiced deep concern over unilateral actions that change the status quo and heighten tensions in the South China Sea, including large-scale land reclamation, the construction of outposts and their use for military purposes".
China says the outposts will have undefined military purposes, as well as help with maritime search and rescue, disaster relief and navigation.
Read more at Reuters
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