Arbitration not a choice to settle South China Sea disputes: Chinese diplomat

Bilateral negotiation is the best way as arbitration is not a choice for China and other claimants to settle their disputes over the South China Sea islands, a senior Chinese diplomat said here Friday.

China has over the past few decades proposed putting aside disputes and seeking joint development as part of efforts to settle disputes over the South China Sea, China's Deputy Consul General in Houston Zhao Yumin said during a luncheon.

Zhao made the remarks in his keynote speech titled "Maintaining Peace and Stability in the South China Sea" at the event jointly organized by the Consulate General and Asia Society Texas Center.

To seek a win-win outcome through joint development and cooperation, both China and ASEAN member states should manage the disputes by establishing rules and mechanisms, Zhao said, adding that the Phillippines' unilateral initiation of the arbitration is against international law and China's lawful rights.

Despite territorial rows between China and other claimants, freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea have never been a problem. China also views the waters as being vital to global trade and its own development, he said.

"China wants freedom of navigation in the South China Sea the most as 40 percent of China's exports go through the South China Sea and 80 percent of China's imports of crude oil are shipped through the South China Sea," the diplomat said.

He stressed that China's final aim is to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Zhao's speech was welcomed by the more than 100 guests at the event, including U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Chairman for Asia Society Texas Center Charles Foster.

They believe that U.S.-China relationship is among the most important ones in the world, and that both countries, the largest developing country and the most developed country, should work together to safeguard regional and world peace.

Neil Bush, a private representative for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, told Xinhua, "I hope the United States and China will work together to find a peaceful and constructive resolution to whatever confrontation stemmed from the South China Sea."

Peter Li, a professor at the University of Houston, said the South China Sea issue, which concerns China's territory and sovereignty, is part of China's core interests but not the United States'.

Outsiders should withdraw their meddling hands and allow the parties directly involved to give their wisdom and pragmatism a full play, Li said.

Li Qiangmin, China's Consul General in Houston, said that the aim of organizing such a luncheon is to make it clear that the South China Sea islands belong to China historically and legally, and there is no other way but to go bilateral to resolve the disputes. Endi