South China Sea: Beijing could do more to ease tension and build trust with neighbours, experts say
- Boao Forum for Asia told China could do more ‘for the public good’ in effort to build trust with Asean neighbours
- Marine environmental protection, scientific research and search-and-rescue among areas seen as ripe for China-Asean cooperation
They also said it was imperative that China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) build trust as they strive to resolve disputes – that they “will be living with for a long time” – in the busy waterway.
Meanwhile, Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations who also attended last week’s forum, said he saw two futures in the disputed waterway: one unstable and dangerous and the other more prosperous.
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Chinese floating barrier blocks entrance to Philippine ships at South China Sea flashpoint
In the first scenario, countries in the region continue to unilaterally advance their economic and security interests, he said.
“In the second future, countries in the region do the hard work of diplomacy to develop mechanisms to peacefully address disagreements, and jointly benefit from the South China Sea,” he said.
“I’m committed to working towards the second future – not because it’s in the interests of one country, but because it benefits all,” Orlins said.
China and the Philippines have recently been entangled in disputes in the South China Sea, including repeated run-ins between their maritime law-enforcement units. They have both accused each other of being provocative and warned that an accident will fuel tension, or even trigger military conflict.
