Seminar on South China Sea, regional cooperation held in Singapore

Zhao Qizheng, former minister of China's State Council Information Office, said Monday that going back to negotiations is the only way out for the disputes in the South China Sea and that the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Aquino III administration will not impede the progress of China-ASEAN cooperation.

Zhao made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the Think Tank Seminar on South China Sea and Regional Cooperation and Development held in Singapore.

Zhao expounded China's solemn position of non-acceptance and non-recognition of the award issued by the ad hoc tribunal handling the South China Sea arbitration and reaffirmed China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

"Going back to negotiations is the only way out for the disputes in the South China Sea," said Zhao.

"China will stick to the dual-track approach, namely relevant disputes should be settled properly through negotiations and consultations by states directly concerned, and China and the ASEAN countries should work together to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea."

Organized by the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the seminar attracted more than 20 experts from academic institutes in China and Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia.

The seminar focuses on three main topics, namely settlement mechanism of maritime disputes, solutions to the disputes of South China Sea as well as South China Sea and regional cooperation and development.

The final award issued by the ad hoc arbitral tribunal on July 12 unilaterally initiated by the former Philippine government, denying China's long-standing historical rights in the South China Sea. In response, China issued two statements, a White Paper to make its position clear.

The White Paper reiterated China's position of solving disputes through negotiations and consultations and managing differences through rules and mechanisms, saying "China endeavors to achieve win-win outcomes through mutually beneficial cooperation, and is committed to making the South China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship."