"China will continue to adhere to its principle of making friends with its neighbors for peaceful development and common prosperity and seek the proper settlement of maritime disputes with its neighbors," said Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a seminar to mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

With a coastline of more than 18,000 kilometers and with nearly 3 million square kilometers of sea area under its jurisdiction, China has disputes over some islands and marine areas with its neighbors, including Viet Nam and Japan.

Though an agreement in 2000 settled the row between China and Viet Nam over Beibu Bay, the two neighbors are still working hard to agree on their border in the South China Sea.

China has signed agreements with the Republic of Korea and Japan on fishing and set up consultation mechanisms on marine law with those two countries and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, according to foreign ministry sources.

Beijing signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations last month in the hope of bringing lasting peace and stability to the region.

China was one of the first countries to sign the UN convention in December 1982. China ratified the convention in May 1996 and this measure was followed by a number of domestic maritime laws and regulations.

Wang said: "With the formation of the new marine order, countries are faced with the challenges of enhancing the management of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones and promoting the sustainable development of the sea."

Experts noted that, after the signing of the UN convention, countries readjusted their maritime policies and tried to expand their jurisdiction over sea areas to gain an advantageous position in the exploitation of marine resources.

Despite the new disputes that have arisen between China and its neighbors under the UN Convention, China has safeguarded its national sovereignty and interests and won the trust and cooperation of its neighbors, said Wang. He attributed this to the country's resort to dialogue and cooperation based on international law and the principle of seeking common development when settling disputes.

(China Daily December 5, 2002)