Sea dispute a real test for China

Vietnam and the Philippines have been strengthening their marine forces by pumping oil from the sea, stationing troops strategically and using oil revenue to fund their militaries. Their common strategy in the South China Sea dispute is a great challenge to China's principle of "shelving disputes and seeking common development".

To maintain regional peace and stability in the South China Sea, China and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" in 2002. The declaration emphasizes the peaceful settlement of the South China Sea dispute and says that all parties should refrain from activities that could complicate and escalate the dispute.

China has been strictly abiding by the declaration, which is the mark of a responsible country. Though some other signatory countries have indicated that they would comply with the declaration's basic principles, their actions have been violating them.