A different narrative about the South China Sea

For quite some time, the South China Sea issue has been framed by distorted narratives, including allegations that China is engaged in "deliberate acts of provocation," "bullying," and "coercion."

It is no surprise if these narratives ring a bell: they dominate much of the US discourse on China and the South China Sea. Less noticed, if not deliberately ignored, are facts and figures that offer different perspectives of the issue.

The DOC and the COC

In 2002, China and ASEAN countries signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, in which they committed to settling disputes peacefully through consultations and negotiations between directly concerned parties.

Since then, the parties have held 24 senior officials' meetings and 49 working-group meetings on implementing the DOC, making steady progress in promoting maritime cooperation.

Building on that, the draft text of a "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" has now completed its third reading. All parties are working toward concluding the consultations by 2026, so as to establish a set of regional norms that all will observe and to provide institutional underpinnings for peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Towards joint development

Back in 2000, China and Vietnam already signed an agreement on the delimitation of the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the Beibu Gulf, setting a positive example of resolving maritime disputes through bilateral negotiations. In the same year, they concluded a Fisheries Cooperation Agreement for the Beibu Gulf, established a joint fishery stock enhancement and release mechanism to help conserve fishery resources in the area.

More recently, in 2024, China and Indonesia reached an important understanding on joint development in overlapping maritime areas. The two sides agreed to establish an intergovernmental joint steering committee to explore and advance cooperation. They also completed their first joint deep-sea scientific exploration of the Java Trench and carried out a joint survey of coral protection areas, demonstrating that even in complex maritime zones, cooperation remains possible.

Common interests over differences

Two-way trade and investment between China and its South China Sea neighbors have not been eroded by maritime disputes.

In 2024, China's trade with both Vietnam and Malaysia each exceeded $200 billion dollars, while trade with Indonesia topped $100 billion dollars.

Between China and the Philippines, despite maritime tension, bilateral trade has continued to grow: In 2024, two-way trade reached 71.6 billion dollars, making China the Philippines' largest trading partner and biggest source of imports for the ninth year in a row. From January to July 2025, bilateral goods trade hit 4.281 billion dollars, up 4 percent year-on-year, bringing real benefits to ordinary people in both countries.

Maritime public goods for all

China has also been working with regional countries to provide maritime public goods and improve safety at sea.

Starting from 1988, the ocean observation station on Yongshu Reef has been regularly providing sea-surface data to the World Meteorological Organization, contributing to global and regional weather and climate services.

Since 2018, the South China Sea Tsunami Advisory Center, initiated by China, has been offering round-the-clock earthquake and tsunami monitoring and warning services to nine neighboring countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. It has also provided training to more than 300 professionals from surrounding countries.

Starting in 2016, China and ASEAN member states have conducted joint maritime search-and-rescue tabletop exercises and live drills, and hosted advanced training courses for search-and-rescue personnel and maritime law-enforcement officers. These efforts have improved coordination among relevant agencies, helping ensure more efficient and timely response to emergencies at sea.

A new narrative

In fact, when China and ASEAN countries talk about the South China Sea nowadays, the tone is getting more calm and confident. Compared with many other waters around the world, the South China Sea is indeed stable and prosperous, and there is simply no problem with freedom of navigation or overflight. Some countries from outside the region, however, keep pointing fingers at the South China Sea.

Thus, a new narrative about the South China Sea is much needed. This is not only about correcting distortions; it is about guiding the region toward a better future. When people think of the South China Sea, they should not immediately associate it with friction, conflict or confrontation, but with peace, stability and cooperation.

That should become the main storyline of the South China Sea in the years ahead. China and ASEAN countries are already working together exactly in that direction.

The author is an observer of international affairs.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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