Beijing courts Southeast Asian nations in bid to counter South China Sea backlash

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to host meeting in Fujian as part of effort to counter the Biden administration’s efforts to isolate China

A number of countries have criticised a new law that would allow Chinese coastguards to fire on foreign vessels

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday that Singapore’s Vivian Balakrishnan, Indonesia’s Retno Marsudi and Teddy Locsin from the Philippines would visit China from Wednesday to Friday. It is understood Malaysia’s Hishammuddin Hussein visit is scheduled from Thursday to Saturday.

Maria Siow

 and William Zheng

Published: 11:46am, 30 Mar, 2021

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1. Looking at the overlapping claims by the various Countries superimposed to the map in South China Sea --- it will look like a very complicated and complex issues to resolve :-

a. Looking at the China 9-dash lines claim in South China Sea.

b. Looking at the overlapping claim by Vietnam.

c. Philippines overlapping claim.

d. Brunei overlapping claim.

e. Malaysia overlapping claim.

2. It is an extremely intricate a very difficult issue to resolve giving the webs of overlapping claims by so many Countries that is presented by the maps and the superimposed overlapping claims ---- easily it will upset every claimants.

3. At the first look - Well a very "preliminary key" to resolve this complex web of seemingly unsolvable deadlock of claims in South China Sea is to examine the interpretation of the UNCLOS (United Nation Convention of the Law of the Sea) ---- that will be able to satisfy and meet all the claimants claim "half way" --- the "Middle Ground" approach :-

a. 12 nautical mile (22 km) - Territorial Water from the coast line.

b. Another 12 nautical mile (22 km) - Contiguous Zone from Territorial Water.

c. 200 nautical mile (370 km) - Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from Contiguous Zone.

Total 414 km

a. and b. (24 nautical miles / 44 km) - which are the Territorial Water and Contiguous Zone --- should be reserve for Countries with coastal lines.

c. the EEZ with 200 nautical mile / 370 km ---- will be the areas where "Middle Ground or Meeting half way" ---- dispute resolution approach ---- can be made.

If 2 Countries have disputed claims that fall onto the EEZ - divide into half to be shared by the 2 Countries - each one get 100 nautical mile / 185 km.

If 3 Countries have disputed claims that fall onto the EEZ - divide into 3 to be shared by the 3 Countries - each one get 66.6666666.....7 nautical mile / 123.3333333 km.

4. As the distance between Vietnam to Philippines is about 1,564.67 km - taking into account the total 414 km of claimants claim - a total remainder of 1,132.67 km become (International water - outside Territorial Water) --- and is reserved for International sea of passage.

5. South China Sea problem solved ! ------ no more "hard feelings" among all claimants on South-China Sea --- and peace is restored. Prosperity and Economy can then thrive in Asia Pacific.....

6. So the resolution approach to resolve South China Sea dispute ---- is the "Middle Path Resolution" or "Middle Ground Resolution" ----- "Meeting each other halfway".

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