14 May 2016

News Story: Solving disputes more important than arbitrary rulings on South China Sea issue - scholar

BANGKOK, May 13 (Xinhua) -- China's refusal to join or accept any adjudication from the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is lawful and solving maritime disputes in the South China Sea is more important than the ruling itself, said a scholar from Thailand's top university.

The ruling that will probably be announced soon is not that important, while solving the maritime disputes in the South China Sea in a proper way is of great significance, Yang Baoyun, professor of ASEAN Studies at Thammasat University, told Xinhua recently.

According to the professor, the proper way is the "dual-track" approach, which means disputes should be resolved peacefully through negotiation between parties directly concerned, and China and ASEAN countries should work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China and ASEAN members identified the approach for dealing with the South China Sea issue in late 2014, and China has advocated it as a practical and feasible way to solve the South China Sea issue.

Read the full story at Xinhua