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Experts Exchange Views at Seminar on South China Sea Regional Cooperation

SINGAPORE, July 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "Going back to negotiations is the only way out for the disputes in the South China Sea," said Zhao Qizheng, former Minister of China's State Council Information Office, "China will stick to the dual-track approach, namely relevant disputes should be settled properly through negotiations and consultations by states directly concerned, and China and the ASEAN countries should work together to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea."

Zhao made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the Think Tank Seminar on South China Sea and Regional Cooperation and Development held in Singapore, 18th July, 2016.

The Seminar which organized by the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASSICBS), attracted more than 20 experts from academic institutes in China and countries in the region, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and India.

Zhao expounded China's solemn position of non-acceptance and non-recognition of the award issued by the ad hoc Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration and reaffirmed China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

Zheng Yongnian, Professor and Director of East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore, said, "The international law cannot help solve complicated political issues such as the disputes in South China Sea, and political will is of great importance."

Looking ahead, Zheng believed that China has the capability in maintaining peace and stability in South China Sea. He said, "The only way to solve the problem is to return to the political way."

Li Guoqiang, Deputy Director of CASSICBS, said, "The award issued by the ad hoc Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration deteriorated peace and stability in the region." Li thought that China, ASEAN countries have the ability, consensus and willingness to solve disputes in the South China Sea while maintaining peace and stability.

Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow with S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies of Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, concluded that China and the Philippines can set a good example to other Southeast Asian countries in coping with disputes over the South China Sea, if both sides resume bilateral negotiation and achieve pragmatic positive results.

CONTACT: Hou Yi, +86 18910728592, karlhou@163.com

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