Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed a three-pronged solution to the disputes over the South China Sea while meeting with the chairman of the Asia Peace Reconciliation Council in Bangkok on August 2. The solution, which includes a commitment to exploring ways.

It is never an easy task for a country to give ground over territorial disputes. In recent decades, dialogue and negotiation have gradually replaced wars and conflict as the preferred methods of resolving land and maritime territorial disputes, as the use of force is detrimental to the aggressive party and will never be an effective way to end a dispute.

Due to the nature of the opposing interests of those involved, the negotiation process is always likely to be a lengthy one. However, despite the difficulty involved in reaching compromise, it is always possible to find a peaceful, mutually beneficial solution.

As for the South China Sea disputes, common interests include regional peace and stability and benefits accruing from common resource exploitation. Some people may ask why China should agree to develop resources in the South China Sea with other countries since those territories and resources belong to China and this is an illustration of just how complex territorial disputes can be. Since the use of force is not on the agenda, it is crucial to ensure that we adhere to the principle of diplomatic and business negotiation.

This principle has been used many times in addressing the South China Sea disputes. In the 1990s, oil corporations from China, Vietnam and the Philippines signed an agreement for joint marine seismic exploration in the agreement area in the South China Sea, signaling a breakthrough for the principle "Shelving differences and seeking joint development," which was first proposed by the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping to ensure the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes with China's neighbors. In addition, the China-Vietnam Joint Statement of 2011 explicitly states that "both sides will step up negotiations on maritime issues, seek basic and long-term approaches that will be acceptable for both sides and explore interim and temporary solutions, including research and negotiations on the joint development of the sea, without impacting each side's stance and position."

Joint development of the South China Sea is not, and should not be a question of who stands to lose. Through common exploitation, it is possible to ensure that everyone involved benefits. This applies not only to economic interests, but also to regional political and strategic interests. As the strongest country in the South China Sea, China proposed the principle of "Shelving differences and seeking joint development," showing its genuine willingness to resolving territorial disputes. Other concerned parties should work with China instead of acting in ways which may complicate or exacerbate the disputes. Their failure to do so will only ensure that they end up losing more than they would otherwise have gained.

The author is an invited research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies.

This post was first published in Chinese and translated by Li Shen.

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