BEIJING: China has conveyed its readiness to engage in dialogue and peaceful negotiation as the preferred method for addressing ongoing maritime disputes with its neighboring countries. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed this commitment during his participation in the Global Town Hall 2023 conference, speaking via video link.
This statement follows recent developments wherein China unveiled its updated map, the “China Standard Map Edition 2023,” which sparked reactions from several neighboring nations, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and India.
China’s newly released map outlines the country’s famous U-shaped line, covering approximately 90% of the South China Sea, a highly contested waterway known for facilitating over $3 trillion in annual trade.
China Willing to Resolve Difference Through Talks
Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized, “China is always willing to resolve differences through dialogue with relevant countries and seek effective ways to manage the maritime situation.” Furthermore, he asserted that any attempts by external forces to destabilize the South China Sea region would not succeed.
Drawing a parallel with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Minister Wang Yi emphasized that Asia must prevent the recurrence of such crises, advocating for regional security enhancement through dialogue and cooperation.
In response to the new map, Malaysia declared that it does not recognize China’s claims in the disputed South China Sea, stating that the map encompasses Malaysia’s maritime areas and asserting that the map has no binding effect on their nation. Similarly, India has criticized China for claiming Indian territories, characterizing this as a recurring behavior by China.
Vietnam has strongly protested against China’s issuance of the map, along with its contentious “nine-dash line” claim, asserting that these actions constitute violations of Vietnamese sovereignty. Taiwan, a region that China regards as a “breakaway province,” also raised objections to the map’s contents and emphasized its commitment to independence, a stance it has maintained since 1949.
