On 19 May 2016, NISCSS President Wu Shicun attended a symposium on South China Sea issues, which was held by the Saranrom Institute of Foreign Affairs Foundation and attended by over 40 representatives of Thai foreign ministry, universities and think tanks.

President Wu shared his ideas on various hot topics, including the current situation in the South China Sea, China’s South China Sea policy, China’s land reclamation efforts in the South China Sea, and the arbitration initiated by the Philippines against China. He pointed out that the arbitration case is not conducive to regional peace and stability and undermines the prospects of finding a peaceful solution to disputes. He stressed that the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) is critical to peace and stability in the South China Sea and suggested China and relevant ASEAN countries join hands in implementing the DOC and managing maritime situation.

NISCSS research staff Hong Nong and Yan Yan respectively made speeches on the arbitration initiated by the Philippines against China as well as maritime security and Asia-Pacific maritime cooperation. Dr. Sourabh Gupta, resident senior fellow from the Institute for China-America Studies, made a speech on historic rights in the South China Sea.

The Chinese delegation also exchanged ideas with the Thai counterpart on China-ASEAN maritime cooperation, code of conduct in the South China Sea and maritime joint development.

Surakiart Sathirathai, who once served as Thai deputy prime minister and foreign minister, is president of the Saranrom Institute of Foreign Affairs Foundation.