September 3, 2020

On September 2, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Institute South China Sea Studies jointly held the 1.5 track virtual international symposium themed “The South China Sea: From the Perspective of Cooperation”. Advice was provided by over 160 participants including former politicians, officials and specialists from China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Russia and other countries within and outside the region on how to safeguard peace and stability and promote win-win cooperation in the South China Sea. The participants are of the view that, against the current background when the international situation is undergoing profound changes and global and regional situations are seeing growing uncertainty, the symposium reflects China’s willingness to have open discussion with regional countries on the South China Sea issues. The symposium clarifies the strategic orientation of China on the South China Sea issue. It also provides all sides a good communication platform, which is conductive for regional countries to removing external disturbances and strengthening the determination to safeguard peace, cooperation and development in the South China Sea.

At the opening ceremony, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Surakiart Sathirathai emphasized that the region and countries outside the region should depoliticize South China Sea disputes. He also proposed to advance cooperation, speed up the conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and establish an Eminent Persons and Experts Group to provide proposals on South China Sea cooperation. The Co-founder of the Center for Strategic and International Studies of Indonesia, Mr. Yusuf Wanandi, emphasized the importance of trust and confidence to peace and development in the South China Sea, and proposed three areas of cooperation, namely, fisheries management, maritime safety, and environmental protection.

Read more:

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjbxw/t1811567.shtml