CHINA-ASEAN: MARITIME TERRITORIAL DISPUTES
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China and Asean will be meeting for the 11th time at the two-day (June 24-25, 2014) meeting that started in Bali, Indonesia, to negotiate a binding set of rules governing engagements in the contested maritime areas. The regional meeting will discuss a code of maritime conduct for the South China Sea. Zhang Mingliang , an expert in Southeast Asian affairs at Jinan University in Guangzhou, said "China is determined to defend its territorial integrity, and this has become the first priority." He added that China will, however, "resolve the dispute through peaceful negotiations". Zhang Jie, an expert on regional security with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China would continue with it's tough posture because Beijing believed its neighbours had not respected its stance over the disputed waters including setting aside differences to seek joint development. Mentioning that Beijing would become increasingly active in the waters, Zhang Jie said "By showing strength, it is hoped that the claimant states of the South China Sea will be pushed to pay serious attention to Beijing's position. There is a perception inside China that maintaining a low profile, which has been the directive for Chinese diplomacy for years, will necessarily be beneficial to China."
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