NAYPYITAW, Myanmar—China on Saturday rejected the Philippines' proposed freeze on perceived provocative acts that recently stirred tensions in contested Asian waters, signaling its preference to tackle South China Sea disputes with diplomatic efforts that have made little progress in the last decade.

Analysts say the snub—made after a meeting between foreign ministers from Beijing and Southeast Asia—underscored China's influence over protracted regional negotiations that have failed to end long-standing discord over territorial claims.

In thinly veiled criticism of Manila's "triple-action plan," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing wouldn't accept proposals that would "interrupt" ongoing conflict-resolution talks and "damage the common interests" of China and its Southeast Asian neighbors.

"China is ready to listen to well-intended proposals on the South China Sea from all parties," Mr. Wang told reporters after meeting his Southeast Asian counterparts. "But these proposals should be objective, fair and constructive, rather than contributing to new problems or be driven by ulterior motives."

Ahead of the weekend conference, organized by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines said it would promote a plan that seeks a moratorium on activities that could "escalate tension," pushes for a speedy conclusion of a code of conduct in the South China Sea and urges that disputes be resolved through arbitration under international law.