2016年CRI Expert: cooperation more important than dispute

 

A high-level seminar between China and the countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is scheduled for later today in Singapore.

Experts at the meeting will mainly discuss issues regarding the South China Sea and regional cooperation and development.

Li Guoqiang with the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies suggests it's a task for both China and ASEAN countries to minimize the impact from last week's maritime¹ arbitration².

"Despite territorial³ disputes that exist between China and some ASEAN countries, it's a common responsibility for all countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. But the arbitration poses a challenge to it. It not only spoils China's interests, but also impacts the region."

He warns the arbitration result is challenging the regional order as well as the relations between China and ASEAN, which needs joint⁴ efforts to well deal with.

But at the same time, he notes that dispute is not everything in the region as there is indeed common ground between the two sides on some more important things.

"It's a common task for China and ASEAN countries to maintain stability, pursue development and improve people's wellbeing. Every country wants progress in these aspects. It's a common wish of China and ASEAN countries."

Li Guoqiang suggests the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative provides a big opportunity for both sides to upgrade their bilateral⁵ ties.

He adds that cooperation and development, rather than dispute, is something that is worth greater attention from China and ASEAN countries.

"Both sides are facing actual problems and both sides have great development potential. So I don't think the South China Sea issue will put a halt to the development of China-ASEAN relations. But in a long run, disputes and cooperation will exist together."

The professor also calls on academics from both sides to do more to help improve the mutual⁶ understanding and exchange.

1 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

2 arbitration   

n.调停，仲裁

参考例句：

• The wage disagreement is under arbitration.工资纠纷正在仲裁中。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding.双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。

3 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

4 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

5 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

6 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。