From Chinese Press

Is it to "grope for fish" by stirring "muddy" South China Sea?

By Chen Hu (peopledaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-07-29 10:16

As far as China is concerned, the issue on the South China Sea has not been the sole case resultant from historical factors and bilateral talks with neighbors. China had once settled numerous territorial disputes effectively and efficiently by means of bilateral negotiations with its neighboring countries. In the process of tackling these disputes, there is neither any threat to use forces, nor the imposition of any solutions onto others.

The international practices have given an eloquent proof that the best solution of this type of disputes implies direct bilateral talks, whereas the multi-lateralizing and internationalizing will only make the matter worse and solutions to them much harder and more complicated.

Asia today is definitely not Asia of the colonial age. Asian nations are now fully capable of tackling international affairs on their own and it does not need others to do any judgment or to gesticulate profusely.

Since the U.S. concern over the South China Sea dispute is groundless and Hillary Clinton's "prescription" is somewhat unwise, then people will have ample reasons to ask what she has got up her sleeves? In fact, Hillary has let out the mystery in her remarks -- that is, the settlement of disputes has something to do with the "national interest" of the United States.

In current global affairs, the "national interest" of the U.S. is an issue, which has been touched or referred to so frequently and, once the "national interest" is mentioned, the U.S. then has the right to intervene in any issues, no matter how distant and far-away the place from the U.S. and no matter whether the related country endorses or welcomes the U.S. participation, and the U.S. has always set a foot on it.

What is really the U.S.' national interest on the South China Sea issue, it is perhaps not merely free navigation, or commercial cooperation. Hence, people are not so difficult to get the true meaning of Hillary's remarks – By "internationalizing" of "multi-lateralizing" the territorial dispute over the South China Sea, the limpid South China Sea water will turn muddy and, with the "pool of muddy water", the United States can justifiably seek its greater "national interest" within its "jurisdiction". Then, people can wait and see what new moves the U.S. would take next?