Use 'quiet diplomacy' to resolve sea issue

On the other hand, however, the basic meaning of the nine-dash line is clear, as China has been reiterating. First, within the nine-dash line, China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and its surrounding sea. Second, China is entitled to the maritime rights and interests stated in the UNCLOS. Third, China has certain historical rights over the waters in the South China Sea. And fourth, the sea-lane within the nine-dash line has not been clocked and is completely free.

During his state visit to the US, President Xi made it clear that construction work on Nansha Islands is not targeted against or meant to influence any country, and that China has no intention of militarizing the islands.

In short, China's policy is to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. It is ready to cooperate with other countries by shelving the disputes and engaging in joint development efforts, in order to ultimately resolve the disputes through peaceful dialogue and turn the South China Sea into a "sea of peace, cooperation and friendship".

But ignoring China's promises, the US has been consolidating its military presence in the South China Sea by continuing close-range military reconnaissance against China, interfering in the regional maritime disputes, selling weapons to Vietnam and other countries, strengthening its military alliances in the region and regaining its hold over military bases in the Philippines, and calling for joint patrols with Japan and other allies from outside Southeast Asia.

By sending guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen to patrol the waters near China's islands, the US seems to indicate that it is ready for a direct military conflict or confrontation with China. In a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, however, it has accused China of interfering in its exercise of freedom of navigation and "militarizing" the region by carrying out construction work on its islands.

China and the US indeed have serious differences on the South China Sea issue. But they should be addressed through dialogue, not through an armed conflict. Given the emerging risks, therefore, the two countries need to use "quiet diplomacy" rather than taking actions that could worsen the situation.

The author is the director of research and senior fellow at the China Foundation for International Strategic Studies.

Courtesy: China &US Focus