The agreement reached on Wednesday between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over the South China Sea bears out the political will and wisdom of Asian countries to solve their disputes peacefully.

It also quelled concerns that China and some ASEAN members, involved in maritime territorial disputes, would clash further when the regional organization and its partners convened a series of meetings in Bali, Indonesia, this week.

Recent flare-ups over the issue have strained ties between China and some claimant countries, suggesting a gloomy future for the stability of the waters. What has been agreed upon in Bali indicates the countries involved are determined to keep their differences at bay and shore up peace and cooperation.

In what are hailed as new guidelines for cooperation in the South China Sea, China and ASEAN have reached an important consensus on implementing the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

The declaration is the basis on which solutions to South China Sea disputes can be reached through peaceful and diplomatic means. It recognizes bilateral negotiations between sovereign states that are directly involved.

The guidelines will give new impetus to implementing the declaration among signatory states. They also send a strong signal to the outside world that countries in the region are fully capable of making sensible responses to challenges they are facing today.

Such a unified stance is necessary as there have been clear signs that outside forces are developing a penchant for meddling in the issue.

Believed to have vast deposits of oil and natural gas, the South China Sea, which covers an area of 3.5 million square kilometers, is also seen as crucial for regional stability and global shipping. With the passage of the new guidelines, China and ASEAN members will be able to embrace more maritime cooperation and build the Sea into waters of friendship and peace.

The decision to choose cooperation and peace rather than confrontation over the South China Sea issue will also pave the way for cooperation in a broad range of fields under bilateral or multilateral platforms. This is certainly a blessing to the region and contributes to peace and stability in the world at large.

China and ASEAN have a common interest in ensuring their economies and trade continue to prosper. To this end, they must handle their differences in an appropriate way.

The Bali meeting between China and ASEAN will not solve all the disputes concerning the South China Sea once and for all. But it is important that the parties directly involved carry out the spirit of peace and cooperation in full so that good momentum toward solving the issue can be built.

It is also crucial that the parties involved should refrain from making irresponsible moves; otherwise what has been achieved so far could easily be squandered.

(China Daily 07/22/2011 page8)