Quotable quotes on South China Sea issue: Negotiation by directly involved parties only way out

Foreign officials, experts and organization have pointed out that the only way to a fundamental solution of the South China Sea issue is through negotiations by the parties directly involved.

The Philippines has unilaterally filed an arbitration case against China over South China Sea disputes. China maintains that the tribunal handling of the arbitration proceedings has no jurisdiction over the case, which is in essence about territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation.

The following are some of the quotable quotes thereon:

Dogu Perincek, Chairman of Turkey's Patriotic Party

The only solution will be through cooperation and dialogue in the region ...China's efforts to keep foreign powers out of the disputes is an assurance for the neighbors in solving the South China Sea disputes.

Paola de Simone, political analyst from the University of Buenos Aires

Manila's arbitration request over the issue violated the Philippines' commitment to the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). That is, territorial and jurisdictional disputes should be solved through friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned.

Ahmed Abu Zaid, spokesperson of Egypt's Foreign Ministry

The South China Sea issue should be solved peacefully without actions that would escalate tensions. Egypt supports a peaceful settlement of territorial and maritime disputes between China and other Asia-Pacific countries through consultation.

Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan

Tajikistan backs China's peaceful reunification, fully understands and firmly supports China's position on the South China Sea issue, and opposes any attempt to internationalize it.

Norodom Ranariddh, Cambodian Prince, president of the royalist Funcinpec Party

We urge all countries directly concerned, including Vietnam and the Philippines, to negotiate with China ... The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) are the legal base for their negotiations.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa

South Africa supports the position that the sovereign states that are directly concerned should resolve their relevant disputes through direct consultations and negotiations, on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law, as well as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Sri Lanka's secretary to the Ministry of Defense

The countries concerned should come to the negotiation table to discuss and listen to each other on how to solve the South China Sea disputes. Endi