South China Sea Disputes Should Not Define China-U.S. Relations

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 50 leading experts from China and U.S. think tanks participated in the seminar, co-organized by Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China (RUCCY) and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), sponsored by National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS) and Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Ideas such as "The disputes over the South China Sea should not define China-U.S. relations." and "Averting a deepening U.S.-China rift over the South China Sea issue should be a priority while coordination and cooperation between the two countries must be encouraged." were discussed by a group of International Leading Experts who concluded China-U.S. Dialogue on the South China Sea, at a closed-door seminar in Washington DC on July 5, 2016.

"The final decision of the arbitration, which will come out in the next few days, amounts to nothing more than a piece of paper," said Dai Bingguo, former State Councilor of China, spoke in the opening ceremony, "China's sovereignty over the South China Sea islands, as part of the post-war international order, is under protection by the UN Charter and other International Laws."

"China sees the peace and stability of the South China Sea as having a bearing on its vital interests. That is why China will never resort to force unless challenged with armed provocation," added Dai Bingguo.

"The stability in the South China Sea is in accordance with all parties concerned," said Huang Renwei, Vice President of Shanghai Academy of Social Science, "We should reduce strategic mistrust while enhancing crisis management."

The tension in the South China Sea must be cooled down," said Michael Swaine, Senior Associate of CEIP." "The U.S. and China must get beyond the heated rhetoric and build the basis for de-escalating tensions in this region."

"We need to carefully consider the implications for U.S. operations in the South China Sea," said Brendan Mulvaney, Associate Chair for Language and Culture Dept. in the United States Naval Academy.

"It serves as 'Think Tank Diplomacy' at this subtle moment," said Wang Wen, Executive Dean of RUCCY.

This seminar seeks exchanges of views among think tanks and cooperation between China and the United States. Experts here agreed that the two countries should not get into a confrontation regarding the South China Sea issue.