China and Asean will prosper by working together
Zhao Qizheng says maintaining peace and stability，around the South China Sea – and keeping the momentum of cooperation and development – is in the best interests of all states in the region
China’s position on its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea is consistent and clear. We recently issued a white paper on the matter, and the title of the paper – “China adheres to the position of settling through negotiation the relevant disputes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea” – makes it clear that China will stick to the “dual-track approach”, namely that disputes should be settled properly through negotiations and consultations by states directly concerned, and China and Asean countries should work together to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.
In the wake of the so-called award of the South China Sea arbitration, we read that some Philippine people have called for dialogue and economic cooperation with China. We sincerely hope that negotiations will be resumed soon.
The shot heard around the bloc: South China Sea ruling will put China’s ties with Asean to the test
China highly values its friendly relations with Asean countries, as the region is a key geopolitical and economic environment for China’s peaceful development. Within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations itself, there are countries which share similar cultures and have long-standing friendships with China, as well as countries that have increasingly closer trade ties with China. We are neighbours joined by common mountains and rivers, and cooperation is the key to our relationship.
Since China and Asean established a dialogue framework in 1991, the two sides have had ever-deepening cooperation in politics, security, economy and trade, and significant achievements in people-to-people exchanges.
Politically, China consistently pursues a foreign policy of fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighbourhood, and it respects Asean member states’ independent choices of development paths and values. The landmark 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea has contributed greatly to regional peace and stability and the enhancement of mutual trust.
In the South China Sea, Beijing is a big fish in a small pond
China and Asean have increasingly close trade cooperation. In 2009, China became Asean’s biggest trade partner. Bilateral trade reached US$470 billion last year and two-way investment now exceeds US$150 billion.