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Sea have been China's territory since ancient times, as indicated by numerous archaeological evidence and relevant historical documents, and none of the Southeast Asian countries disputed China's sovereignty over the islands in the past.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

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which was signed in 1982 and formally took effect in 1994, established a new maritime system and made the South China Sea disputes more complex.

Despite its indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their surrounding waters, China has exercised self-restraint in the disputes with other countries. It has put forward numerous constructive proposals to settle the disputes, too, and played a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China's proposal of "shelving disputes for common development" reflects its sincerity and goodwill to resolve maritime disputes with other countries. It is China's important contribution to East Asian nations' efforts to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

In 2002, China signed with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, in which all signatories promised to exercise self-restraint and seek cooperation in related fields. In 2005, national oil companies from China, the Philippines and Vietnam signed a joint accord to carry out seismological work in a designated area of the South China Sea. These moves helped maintain stability in the South China Sea and offer precious examples to the disputing countries how to handle disputes in the future. This hard-won friendly and cooperative momentum should be carried forward.

China's role in maintaining stability and promoting development in East Asia over the past decade is huge, from substantial assistance to ASEAN member states after the 1997 Asia financial crisis to large-scale investment programs to curb the economic slowdown caused by the global financial crisis in 2008, and from establishing a strategic partnership with ASEAN - the first such move by a major world power - to becoming the first country outside Southeast Asia to enter the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. Also, China is the first country to sign a free trade pact with the 10-nation bloc.

China's good-neighborly and friendly foreign policy, together with its integration into ASEAN's cooperative mechanisms and enormous contribution to regional economic, political and security cooperation, has drawn praise from its neighbors, too. On many occasions, ASEAN member states have said China offers opportunities rather than posing a threat.

The top priority of governments across the world today is to pursue development and improve their people's livelihoods. But a peaceful and stable environment is the fundamental requirement for sustainable development.

Compared with other regions, East Asia has managed to achieve rapid and sustainable development over the past decade. This should, to a large extent, be attributed to East Asian countries' endeavor to build mutual respect, adherence to the principle of dialogue and cooperation, and prudent and appropriate approach in handling mutual disputes.

Maintaining a good environment remains a precondition for all East Asian countries to realize development, and keeping the South China Sea peaceful and stable is in their interests.

The South China Sea disputes have worsened in recent months because of the irrational activities of some countries. No country in the region wants to see a conflict. But the regional countries should realize that any unrestrained or provocative act can only aggravate the already tense situation in the sensitive sea. If a conflict occurs, it will be a lose-lose situation for all parties directly involved, except, as a Chinese proverb goes, the fisherman who manages to catch both the snipe and the clam that engage each other in a fight.

Peaceful dialogue remains the most sensible way of resolving the South China Sea disputes. China has kept its promise of maintaining regional stability and development through its actions, and it hopes other countries do the same by undertaking their responsibilities.

East and Southeast Asian nations cannot resolve the disputes by focusing excessively on them. On the contrary, the excessive focus could hamper their own efforts to enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation.

Hopefully, the ASEAN ministerial meetings in Bali, Indonesia, which end on Saturday, will help enhance mutual trust and push forward common efforts to maintain peace, stability and development in the South China Sea.

The author is a freelance writer.

(China Daily 07/23/2011 page5)