Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue
China has just released a white paper which reiterates the country's position on resolving territorial disputes in the South China Sea through dialogue and negotiation. According to the white paper, China and the Philippines reached consensus in the past on resolving the relevant disputes that way.
The white paper says China’s initiative of “pursuing joint development while shelving disputes” regarding the South China Sea issue was first addressed to the Philippines. In a meeting with Philippine Vice President Salvador Laurel in 1986, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping pointed out that the Nansha Islands belong to China. When referring to the matter of differences, he stated that both sides should shelve the issue, and sit down later to work out a solution, that is acceptable to all. In August 1995, China and the Philippines issued a Joint Statement, concerning Consultations on the South China Sea, and on Other Areas of Cooperation. They agreed that “disputes shall be settled, through bilateral negotiation and consultation by the countries directly concerned”. Subsequently, both sides reaffirmed their consensus in a number of bilateral documents. In November 2002, China and the ten ASEAN Member States signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, in which all nations “undertake to resolve their territorial, and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means.
"The fourth item of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea clearly stipulates that the South China Sea dispute should be resolved through peaceful talks among relevant parties. A series of documents was issued to confirm this when leaders of China and the Philippines met each other. If these government documents could be broken and abandoned at any time, it is the foundation of international relations and mutual trust that will be harmed." Associate professor Gong Yingchun with China Foreign Affairs University said.
The white paper points out that China and the Philippines have made some progress in managing their differences and conducting practical maritime cooperation. In 1999, both sides held the first China-Philippines Experts Group Meeting on Confidence-Building Measures. In the Joint Press Statement after the third meeting released in April 2001, it was stated that, "The series of understanding and consensus reached by the two sides have played a constructive role in the maintenance of the sound development of China-Philippines relations and peace and stability of the South China Sea area." In September 2004, in the presence of the leaders of China and the Philippines, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Philippine National Oil Company signed the Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking in Certain Areas in the South China Sea.
"Looking back, we can see that China has shown sincerity. The Philippines is the root cause for not achieving a substantial breakthrough in progress in solving the South China Sea dispute. All efforts and measures to resolve the problems between them should be based upon negotiations. With it, resolving disputes will finally be achieved," Associate professor Huang Wei with Wuhan University said.
China has been consistent in its position and policy on the South China Sea issue, and adheres to the position of settling disputes in the South China Sea through negotiation.
