— A Chinese delegate spoke at the 13th Shangri-La Dialogue, stressing that China stands ready to work with other countries to pursue Asian security

The Shangri-La Dialogue 2014 Fourth Plenary Session concluded in Singapore on June 1. Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), led the Chinese delegation to the dialogue this year. Wang delivered a speech entitled Major Power Perspectives on Peace and Security at the meeting, elaborating on the Asia security outlook proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Fourth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). He stressed that China advocates and implements the security concept for Asia in earnest, and stands ready to work with other countries to pursue Asian security that is established, shared, and win-win to all. China is a constructive, proactive and positive force for Asia's peace and security, he said.

After his speech, Wang answered questions on China's Nine Dash Line claim in the South China Sea from other participants. Wang gave a detailed explanation about the history record and factual basis of the Nine Dash Line. Wang emphasized that China consistently and clearly advocates a peaceful settlement of maritime territorial disputes through negotiations with parties directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical fact and international law.

China advocates and implements the security concept for Asia in earnest

As Wang pointed out, the Fourth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia was held in Shanghai, China. At the Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forth the security concept for Asia featuring common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. This concept, which is a concise summary of the Asian historical experiences as well as the cherished aspiration for Asia's future, has been widely acclaimed by countries in the region. Asia today is in a critical period of development. Asia is increasingly becoming a community of common interest, destiny and responsibility. The security of China is closely linked to that of Asia. China advocates and implements the security concept for Asia in earnest.

Wang said China pursues a path of peaceful development. Peaceful development is a strategic choice as well as a long-term and abiding strategy made by China, based on its historical and cultural traditions, past experiences, lessons learned in the rise of major powers, the reality of our time and the fundamental interests of China. China sticks to open, cooperative and win-win development. China strives for self-development through maintaining a peaceful international environment, and in turn contributes to regional and world peace with its own advancement. China is committed to building a harmonious Asia as well as an amicable world of lasting peace and common prosperity. China will never contend for or seek hegemony and foreign expansion. China adheres to peaceful development, which is its major contribution to security in Asia. The tremendous achievements of China's peaceful development constitute a positive factor of critical importance to the security of Asia.

"China upholds the banner of fairness and justice. China believes that all countries, regardless of size, wealth or strength, should have the equal rights to independently choose their own social systems and development paths. We need to learn from each other to offset our own shortcomings and oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs. All countries should enjoy equal participation in regional security affairs. We need to strengthen coordination on the basis of mutual respect, and oppose attempt by any country to dominate regional security affairs. All countries should respect and accommodate the legitimate security concerns of others and enjoy common security through mutual accommodation. We oppose the practices of building military alliances against a third party, resorting to the threat or use of force, or seeking so-called absolute security of one's own at the cost of the security of others," Wang said.

Wang said China advocates dialogue and cooperation. China upholds that all countries should enhance strategic mutual trust, reduce misgivings and coexist in harmony through dialogue and communication. We should continuously strengthen and expand areas of cooperation, take innovative approaches, and seek peace and security through cooperation. All countries should respect each other's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and resolve disputes peacefully through negotiations.

"China stands for coordinated progress of security and development. From China's perspective, development lays the foundation for security, which in turn provides the conditions for development. Development is the most important form of security and the master key to resolving Asia's security issues. China pursues a neighborhood diplomacy that aims at bringing harmony, security and prosperity to its neighbors. China practices the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We work to promote the sound interaction between regional economic cooperation and security cooperation, and to maintain both traditional and non-traditional security in a coordinated way. In 2013, China contributed nearly 30 percent of the world's economic growth and over 50 percent of the growth in Asia. China will continue to promote sustainable security through sustainable development, and work together with other countries for lasting peace and prosperity in the region," Wang said.

In order to promote regional defense and security cooperation, Wang made the following proposals: To promote mutual strategic trust by deepening dialogue and exchanges; to support common development by strengthening security cooperation; to jointly tackle challenges by promoting disaster relief cooperation; to maintain maritime security by highlighting maritime cooperation; and to effectively manage differences by establishing security mechanisms.

"Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the world's anti-Fascist war. China will work with all other countries to safeguard the fruits of victory of the Second World War as well as the post-war international order. We will never allow the ruthless Fascist and militarist aggressions to stage a comeback. Major countries shoulder responsibilities for maintaining security and stability of the Asia-Pacific, while medium and small countries can also play a constructive role. As a responsible major country, China is ready to join hands with all other Asia-Pacific countries to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. Let us work together to create a better future for the Asia-Pacific region," Wang said.

China consistently advocates the peaceful settlement of maritime territorial disputes through negotiations with parties directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical fact and international law

After his speech, Wang answered questions from the press about the Nine Dash Line that marks China's territorial claim in the South China Sea. Wang stressed that China consistently advocates the peaceful settlement of maritime territorial disputes through negotiations with parties directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical fact and international law.

Wang said, "I will tell some facts of the South China Sea in brief, which will help people understand China's lawful claim of the Nine Dash Line in the South China Sea."

First, China's sovereignty and jurisdiction over the South China Sea have been established since the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago. As early as in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), China had discovered the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea and gradually established an administrative system over these islands and the nearby waters. The historical records of China's claims are abundant and sufficient, Wang said.

Second, the Xisha and Nansha Islands had been under China's jurisdiction in the past 2,000-odd years. During World War II, Japanese imperialists invaded China and occupied China's Xisha and Nansha Islands. In 1946, China took back the Xisha and Nansha Islands from Japanese occupation according to Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation. In 1948, China presented and demarcated the Nine Dash Line, which has been recorded on a large number of historical files and maps published by many countries.

Third, countries near the South China Sea did not question the Nine Dash Line and China's sovereignty and jurisdiction over Nansha and Xisha Islands in the South China Sea in long history until the 1970s, when rich oil reserves were discovered under its waters.

Fourth, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea took effect in 1994. China respects its responsibilities as a signatory of the UN Convention. But China's sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Nansha Islands was established in the past 2,000-odd years. The UN Convention, which took effect in 1994, cannot be applied retroactively. The UN cannot redefine sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction that had already been established through history.

Fifth, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea cannot be applied as an international law to change the sovereignty of maritime islands. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is only one part of the vast legal system governing maritime sovereignty and jurisdiction. And any attempts to adjust territorial claims would not only involve the convention, but also a large number of other international laws. What's more, the United States is not a signatory of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. "Why didn't the United States sign the Convention?" Wang asked. "That is because the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea works against the United States in many areas. How could a non-signatory party blame China while citing the relevance of the Convention? Does the U.S. Government respect the Convention? When it is needed, the United States uses the UN Convention as a weapon to blame other countries; as not needed, the convention is abandoned by the United States. When will the United States plan to join the UN Convention?" Wang said.

Last but not least, China adopts a consistent and clear attitude to territorial issues. On the basis of respecting historical records and international laws, China would like to resolve disputes of maritime islands and waters demarcation through negotiations with parties that are directly concerned. Now some country resorts to international arbitration for the territorial dispute. In fact, as early as in 2006, China has made an exempt statement according to the special clauses of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The statement said all disputes over Chinese territories and sovereignties, including islands, military activities and other activities are exempt from international arbitration. This statement is now preserved by the United Nations. With the greatest sincerity and patience, China will continue making efforts to resolve disputes over China's Nansha Islands through dialogue and negotiation with concerned parties.