China's South China Sea

By Samantha Tan Chiew Ting Bernama's correspondent in Beijing Samantha Tan Chiew Ting shares her take on China. BEIJING, July 20 (Bernama) -- The South China Sea does not 'belong to China alone'. This was the final decision made by a panel of judges at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, Netherlands last week. As expected China did not accept or recognise the award and instead said its islands in the sea of contention had exclusive economic zones and the Chinese people have been doing activities there for 2,000 years. The Hague decision comes from the initiative taken by the former Philippine government on January 2013 that unilaterally initiated arbitration on the territorial dispute in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines. China's nine dash line demarcating its territory over the sea is seen too close for comfort by its four ASEAN neighbours - Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. South China Sea is rich in fish, crude oil and natural gas resources and is a strategic shipping route. However, the decision on July 12 had angered Chinese citizens who expressed dissatisfaction over the award on the Weibo, Chinese-based social platform. The Chinese nationals urged their government to stop buying bananas from the Philippines, others tweeted to launch military exercise at the South China Sea, while overseas Chinese too protested against the ruling. Howver, the spotlight is still on China. The parties involved in the overlapping claims in South China Sea are adamant to see China's next move. Will China choose to ignore the arbitration decision and the calls of the affected nations? Will it do something to reduce tensions in South China Sea? China's actions will continue to be watched and as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council the country is in a catch 22 position. Due to the longstanding and historical friendship between China and Malaysia. Meanwhile, Malaysia to is hoping for some positive outcome from the decision though the country did not speak out loud on the disputes. Malaysia's stand has always been clear and firm in solving territorial and maritime disputes through diplomatic channels and it is committed in pushing for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, as agreed by ASEAN and China. China in recent years have been actively engaging with ASEAN members including Malaysia with investments and cooperation following its 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. Therefore, it is important that the country ensures the relationship with ASEAN members will continue to grow and that the dispute over South China sea will not affect the long-standing ties. With the new Philippine government in power now there could be a fresh start for China and the Philippines to mend their relationship and for China to win the trust of its ASEAN partners. It was reported the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is ready for talks with China to solve the maritime dispute. The good thing is that China has never closed it doors for negotiations and welcomed the efforts. --BERNAMA