South China Sea doesn't need outsiders

The recent interference of the United States and Japan in the South China Sea disputes has heightened tensions in the region. Worried about their national security, countries like the Philippines and Vietnam are seeking outside help to get the upper hand in their maritime territorial disputes with China. Even Malaysia, which until now approached the South China Sea disputes with caution, has strongly responded to a Chinese ship intruding into its "exclusive economic zone".

But the truth is that, no party to the disputes will be able to get any benefit from outside interference. Instead, outside interference will only complicate matters further by creating more uncertainties, which in turn could push the disputing countries toward a diplomatic dead end, because rather than compromising its sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, China could intensify the measures to protect it.

As the Year of China-ASEAN Cooperation, 2015 is also set to witness the official launch of the ASEAN Economic Community in the backdrop of Beijing making greater efforts to push for its "Belt and Road Initiative".