A Chinese official expressed willingness to resume the COC negotiations and Wang said China stands ready to work with ASEAN countries to conclude the COC at an early date. This will promote regional peace and stability.
Pompeo's statement shows that the US' policy in the South China Sea has changed from military pressure into a comprehensive suppression combining military action and hyping public opinion. This is an escalation of the US' tactical pressure on China, and especially on the South China Sea issue.
How might China cope with ASEAN's stronger assertions and the increased pressure from Vietnam and Indonesia over the South China Sea?
As to the involvement of Japan and Australia in the disputes, it's not an exaggeration to describe it as the biggest mistake of the US, adding unnecessary risk to its Asia-Pacific strategy while gaining no effective support from them. Considering the trilateral statement, it's more like a fulfillment of the ambitions of Japan to project its power out of East Asia, which would only cause trouble for the US-led alliance.
ASEAN used to be a militarily-oriented organization during the Cold War. It was wise of it to change to being economically-oriented after the Cold War ended. ASEAN should stick to this trend and focus more on trade and economic growth. It shouldn't go back to the past trajectory.
It is development that most countries in Southeast Asia prioritize and in this process they want to piggyback on China's rapid growth.
China's response has been firm and consistent – any unlawful awards would not be accepted and has to be dismantled. Raising tensions higher is unhelpful to all parties. China still welcomes relevant claimants to join direct talks through a process of mutual benefit and concession.
Even though tensions might escalate after the arbitration, only maniacs would start a war between China and the US because of the South China Sea. However, all parties must exercise more restraint in the current circumstance, especially the US, which is increasingly upping the ante.
The US has played a crucial role in exacerbating the South China Sea issue.
Washington's intention to play an active role in Southeast Asia's security and economy is understandable, but it cannot make decisions for Manila.
The Philippines is the initiator of the Arbitration. It's very important to see how its new government will deal with the negative legacy of the previous government. Facing with a multiple of choices, the best approach for the new government is to withdraw the case and return to the diplomatic approach to settle disputes with China through negotiations. This will be in the long-term interest of both countries and peoples.
Some 30 international law experts gathered at Hague on Sunday for a seminar in which many have voiced their doubts and concerns over the negative impact that the South China Sea arbitration will bring to the rule of law at the international level.
For many years, the People's Republic of China has been a strong supporter of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Recently, however, China's experience has been that the Convention and, in particular, its provisions on compulsory dispute settlement, may be exploited by other states for political reasons.
The following is the full text of a speech delivered by former State councilor Dai Bingguo at China-US Dialogue on South China Sea between Chinese and US think tanks on Tuesday in Washington.
It will be the largest challenge for China and the US to avoid the Thucydides Trap.
On June 29, the Permanent Court of Arbitration announced that the award of the South China Sea (SCS) Arbitration initiated by the Philippines against China will be issued on July 12.
The Chinese Society of International Law is of the view that having jurisdiction over the claims is a prerequisite for the Tribunal to initiate its proceedings on merits, and a basis for the validity of any final decisions.
The South China Sea issue was a heated topic at the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue, which wrapped up on Sunday in Singapore.