Act for peace, not conflict

Nations locked in South China Sea disputes should try to resolve them through peaceful talks and refrain from provocative actions

The islands in the South China Sea have been China's territory since ancient times, as indicated by numerous archaeological evidence and relevant historical documents, and none of the Southeast Asian countries disputed China's sovereignty over the islands in the past.

In fact, maps and authoritative encyclopedias published by many countries in the region marked or recognized the Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters as part of China's traditional marine boundary until the 1960s, when oil and gas reserves were discovered in the South China Sea. Ever since, some Southeast Asian nations have raised sovereign claims over the sea, turning the once-tranquil waters into a flashpoint of disputes.