South China Sea dispute: Why China takes a pragmatic stance
The South Korean and Chinese coast guards sign an accord at the West Sea Maritime Police Agency in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on 23 August 2011 to jointly crack down on Chinese fishing boats violating South Korean waters. (Photo: AAP)

Author: Yang Fang, RSIS

At the 23 July ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Bali, China and ASEAN agreed on a set of guidelines to better implement their 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). This set of guidelines promises to narrow the disputes over territorial sovereignty in the Sea.

This development at the ARF is considered a big step towards the peaceful resolution of the dispute. Read more…