Cooperation bedrock for stability of South China Sea

The busy shipping chart in the South China Sea represents the increasingly closer regional cooperation and common development of Asia. Some people have a misinterpretation of the South China Sea issue, because they do not see the bigger picture, says an article in the People’s Daily. Excerpts:

The differences in the South China Sea should be solved between the countries directly involved in the disputes, under the framework of China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Although some Western media exaggerate the tensions in the South China Sea on purpose, China has continued its talks with relevant countries, and the negotiations have yielded some results, which add positive energy to regional peace and stability.

The South China Sea is an important international maritime transportation channel, connecting East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The goods transported through the channel are worth about $5.3 trillion each year. The ports in Asia send 39 percent of the world’s total goods, and receive 57 percent. Most of the goods are transported by the South China Sea route. Were it not for the stability and security, there would not have been such a busy movement of ships in this sea.

There are disputes in the sea, as well as cooperation. It is against the common interests of all parties to make individual issues an obstacle for cooperation between China and ASEAN.

To keep stability and security of the South China Sea, both China and ASEAN need to make joint efforts in the same direction.