Time to counter U.S. ploys
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The US has a national interest in navigation in the South China Sea. In order to secure its control on important sea-lanes, the US doesn't want to see China cooperating with other concerned countries to resolve the issue.
On the contrary, through high-intensity surveillance of China via warships and planes and holding of joint military drills with certain countries, the US is hindering a peaceful resolution of the issue.
The South China Sea issue not only concerns vying for jurisdiction of islands and reefs, delimitation of exclusive economic zones and division of marine resources, but also involves China's strategic sea-lane safety and long-term development. Therefore, the issue should be accorded strategic importance as it concerns national security.
An important precondition for putting forward the doctrine of "setting aside disputes and working for joint development" is that China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands on the South China Sea. Setting aside disputes doesn't mean indefinite abeyance, nor to abandon sovereignty.
China needs to strengthen fishery administration and maritime supervision so as to protect the rights and interests of Chinese fishermen, dispel illegal foreign survey ships, claim sovereignty in the South China Sea and contain the rampant plundering of its resources by others.
China has persisted in resolving the dispute through peaceful negotiations with neighboring countries. China never bullies the weak. At the same time, Beijing will never allow external forces, like the US, to interfere in the matter.
The author is a former research fellow at the Institute of International Studies, Central Party School.
