On 20 April 2021, the South China Sea Sub-forum of Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021 (hereinafter referred to as the “sub-forum”) jointly organized by the National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS), China-Southeast Asia Research Center on the South China Sea (CSARC) and BFA Secretariat was held at the permanent site of Boao Forum for Asia. It brought together over 200 participants from about 20 countries and regions, including experts, scholars, diplomats, former politicians and officials, either attending the meeting in Bo’ao or giving online presentations.  

Mr. Wang Bin (Vice Governor of Hainan Province), Mr. Jiang Sixian (Vice President of China Association of Higher Education, former Member of Standing Committee of CPC Hainan Provincial Committee, Vice Director of Standing Committee of Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, former Secretary of Party Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Mr. Pan Xinchun (Secretary-General of China Oceanic Development Foundation), Mr. Sun Xiansheng (Vice President of China Council for International Investment Promotion), Mr. Wang Haiyu (Vice Mayor of Sansha City), Ambassadors of Thailand, Israel and Croatia, EU delegation and Italian diplomatic envoys to China, were invited to attend the opening ceremony.

The open-door session of the sub-forum was chaired by Ms. Fu Ying (Chairwoman of Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University). Mr. Wu Jianghao (Assistant Foreign Minister of China), and H.E. Madam Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Former President of the Philippines) delivered keynote speeches. Dr. Wu Shicun (President of NISCSS), Prof. Zheng Yongnian (Founding Director of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen), and Dr. Dino Patti Djalal (Founder of Foreign Policy Community, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Indonesia), and other well-known scholars engaged in maritime affairs and regional security research, delivered wonderful speeches.

Ms. Fu Ying, Chairwoman of Center for International Security and Strategy, Tsinghua University chaired the open-door session 

Prof. Zheng Yongnian, Director of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, delivered a speech in the open-door session

Ms. Fu Ying said that the sub-forum has set up an institutional platform for exchanges between domestic and foreign experts and scholars who are concerned about the South China Sea issues and regional maritime cooperation. At present, relevant countries are making progress in consultations on the “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC)” and implementing practical cooperation between all parties under the framework of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Nevertheless, disputes still exist and problems arise from time to time, requiring proper management. It is worth noting that the U.S. has increased its concern and intervention in the South China Sea and created tensions through frequent military activities, which has increased uncertainties of current South China Sea situation. The behavior of the U.S. is not in line with the direction of the peaceful development in the region. Ms. Fu Ying mentioned that the concept of building a “maritime community with a shared future” put forward by Dr. Xi Jinping, provides direction for us to discuss regional cooperation in the South China Sea. Countries in the region shall advocate for cooperation against confrontation, dialogue against conflict. This is also the main theme of global ocean development.

Mr. Wu Jianghao delivered his speech entitled “Acting on the Vision of a Community with a Shared Future and Opening up New Vistas for Cooperation in the South China Sea”. He mentioned that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. As close neighbors, the friendly cooperation between China and ASEAN countries is advancing despite challenges, forming a pattern of widened and deepened integration. Maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is a common strategic goal of China and ASEAN countries. In recent years, China has adhered to the “dual track approach” to deal with the South China Sea issue, effectively managed contradictions and differences, and made new progress in maritime cooperation. First, various bilateral mechanisms are improving; second, cooperation fields are continuously expanding; third, cooperation content is gradually enriched; fourth, the COC consultations are steadily advanced. At the same time, we must also note that the overall level and results of cooperation in the South China Sea are still limited, and there remains huge potential for expansion. From a regional perspective, constraints such as the insufficient political mutual trust, sensitivity and complexity of disputes, and an unfavorable public opinion environment still exist. From an external point of view, some external forces proceeded from their own geopolitical interests and intervened in the South China Sea issue in a high-profile manner, bringing uncertainties and instability to the South China Sea. China will continue to uphold the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and jointly promote maritime cooperation with relevant parties on the basis of equality and mutual respect, so as to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. 

Dr. Wu Shicun, President of NISCSS and Chairman of the Board of CSARC, delivered an excellent speech

Dr. Wu Shicun pointed out in his speech that the current South China Sea situation is generally stable and controllable, and the general trend of stabilization and improvement has not been greatly destroyed by the influence of some negative factors. But at the same time, there have been some disturbing changes on the sea. Regarding how to maintain stability and promote cooperation in the South China Sea region, Dr. Wu Shicun proposed: first, claimants should follow the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences, focus on cooperation in functional areas, such as ecological environment, waterway safety, fisheries resource protection, draw on successful experience of ocean governance in other regions, negotiate and sign convention on environmental protection of the South China Sea, and establish an institutional framework to promote sustainable development and build blue partnership in the South China Sea. Second, China and ASEAN countries should shift the focus of island and reef construction from military purposes to civilian services, build more civilian facilities, create a global public service and support system in the South China Sea, maintain the safety of waterways in the South China Sea. Third, China and ASEAN countries should come up with a new timetable and new roadmap for the COC consultations to meet the expectations of the international community.

H.E. Madam Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Former President of the Philippines, delivered a keynote speech online

H.E. Madam Arroyo reviewed the successful experience of Philippines-China-Vietnam tripartite cooperation on joint maritime seismic undertaking and progress of Sino-Philippines joint exploitation of energy resources in the South China Sea. She believed that the pragmatic cooperation between China and ASEAN is conducive to the establishment of mutual trust and the maintenance of peace and stability in the South China Sea. She expected that China and ASEAN countries can complete and sign the “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC)” on the basis of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) before 2022, and play a positive role in building a rules-based order in the South China Sea. She stressed that the differences between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea issue are only a part of Sino-Philippines relations, will not hinder the overall positive improvement of bilateral friendly relations and deepening cooperation. She also agreed with President Xi Jinping with the concept that “the blue planet humans inhabit is not divided into islands by the oceans, but is connected by the oceans to form a community with a shared future, where people of all countries share weal and woe.” She expressed the willingness in building a maritime community with shared future with China.

Dr. Wu Shicun was interviewed by the media during the forum

Since its establishment in 2014, the sub-forum has been successfully held for seven sessions. As an institutionalized session of BFA annual conference, the sub-forum has become a high-standard multilateral dialogue and exchange platform for experts, scholars, media, enterprises and government officials who are concerned about the South China Sea issues and regional maritime cooperation and ocean governance. The sub-forum is designed to contribute to build consensus and mutual trust, promote cooperation and seek long-term peace and stability in the South China Sea.

This sub-forum is being held against the background that the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging around the world, China and ASEAN countries have always insisted on managing differences through dialogue, enhancing mutual trust through cooperation, and ensuring the overall stability in the South China Sea through rule-making. Focusing on the theme of “South China Sea Cooperation and New Order Construction”, the participants would discuss how to promote practical maritime cooperation, build a rules-based new order in the South China Sea and implement the important concept of building a maritime community with a shared future in the next two days.