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n Indonesian scholar claimed in a recent article that China was advancing '€œmaritime colonization'€ in Asia, which in my opinion goes against the fact and could lead to misunderstanding.

Modern history witnessed colonialism wreaking havoc in both China and Southeast Asia. As an old Chinese saying goes, '€œDo not do unto others what you do not want done unto yourself.'€ The Chinese government has consistently and firmly opposed colonialism and hegemonism in international relations, and maintaining the post-World War II international order and world peace.

China'€™s policy on the South China Sea issue has the same spirit, with the aim of upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea and resolving the disputes through negotiation and consultation. China'€™s position can stand the test of history.

Although there are a few countries within and beyond the region attempting to mislead the public, the merits of the South China Sea issue cannot be blurred. China was the first to discover, name, exploit and develop the Nansha Islands and China was also the first to exercise consistent sovereign jurisdictions over the islands.

During World War II, some islands in the South China Sea were illegally occupied by Japan. In accordance with such international documents during the war, such as the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation, Japan must unconditionally return the territories it stole from China. After World War II, China recovered the occupied islands and resumed exercise of sovereignty. Until the 1960s, there had not been a single country challenging China'€™s sovereignty over the Nansha Islands.

A report by the UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) in 1968 stimulated some littoral states of the South China Sea to set their eyes on the oil and gas resources, and later set their feet on the islands and reefs illegally. However, in the interest of peace and stability in the South China Sea, China has been exercising the utmost restraint.

For more than one year, China has been developing its own territories, including the Nansha Islands and reefs. In fact, some countries have never ceased their development activities on those islands and reefs illegally taken from China. China was actually the last country to develop the Nansha Islands and reefs, part of its own territory.
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China'€™s development activities on the islands and reefs would not impact nor target any other country.

What China has built focuses on making available civil services and providing international public good. Upon the completion of the various facilities, the vessels navigating the South China Sea would enjoy more facilitating services, the maritime search and rescue efforts would be better supported, and the marine scientific research and environmental protection cooperation would secure a reliable platform.

China'€™s development activities on the islands and reefs would not impact nor target any other country, would not affect the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and would not damage the marine ecosystem, let alone resulting in so-called militarization.

As for the argument that China has controlled the strategic sea lane in the South China Sea, it cannot hold water at all when confronted with the facts. About 600 years ago, Zhen He (also known as Cheng Ho), a well-known Chinese navigator, traveled as far as Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, bringing with his fleet friendly exchanges and fair trade. Today, 40 percent of China'€™s commodity trade and 80 percent of imported energy have to pass the South China Sea.

China not only benefits from but also firmly safeguards the freedom and safety of navigation in the South China Sea. China has always honored and maintained the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea enjoyed by all countries in accordance with international laws.

Thanks to the concerted efforts by China and ASEAN countries, the international shipping lane in the South China Sea stays unimpeded, flourishes with trade and benefits all countries concerned.

However, some external countries, often under the disguise of upholding the freedom of navigation, send military vessels and airplanes approaching and even enter the waters and air space close to the related islands and reefs of China'€™s Nansha Islands only to flex their military muscle.

For many years, China has been dedicated to working with ASEAN countries to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). In 2013, all parties kicked off the consultation on a code of conduct in the South China Sea (COC) under the DOC framework.

The past two years witnessed significant progress in the consultation, including through the issuing of documents of commonalities and securing early harvests.

In October 2015, China and ASEAN countries declared that the COC consultation was entering a phase to discuss crucial and complex issues. At the same time, all parties agreed to China'€™s proposal to explore and formulate the Preventive Measures on Managing Risks at Sea, with the purpose of effectively controlling the situation at sea and avoiding maritime accidents before the conclusion of the COC.

Facts show that China has been always determined to resolve the disputes through peaceful negotiation and consultation, and China has always been sincere in shelving the disputes while seeking common
development.

However, some countries in the region have gone against their DOC obligation to settle the South China Sea issue through peaceful negotiation and consultation, only to make the situation in the South China Sea more complicated.

Such arbitration can never hide its essence of political provocation. China'€™s position not to accept or participate in the arbitration is merely a move to safeguard its national rights and interests, as well as international rule of law.

In 2015, together with more than 30 Asian and African countries, China attended the activities held to mark the 60th anniversary of Bandung Conference (also known as the Asian-African Conference in 1955). As the well-known results of the conference, the Bandung Spirit and Ten Principles in International Relations have become the guiding principles in fostering a new type of international relations.

China has always adhered to the Bandung Spirit, which stresses unity, friendship and cooperation and working with the countries, including Indonesia, to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and the region. In recent years, China has put forward the initiative to jointly build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to promote development and prosperity in the South China Sea.

I am convinced that the joint efforts by China and Indonesia will surely inject indispensable impetus into the cause of addressing the South China Sea issue in an appropriate manner. While under the concerted efforts by all countries in the region, our dream will at last come true to have a South China Sea blessed with peace, friendship and prosperity.
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The writer is the Chinese ambassador to ASEAN