Cutting through an overload of information to get to the heart of the story.
This is The Point.
China has been strengthening its maritime legislation framework since decades,
building a robust set of domestic laws to provide a legal basis for its claim over the disputed waters.
But as China assesses its legitimate rights,
other players are leveraging their domestic legislation for geopolitical ends.
The Philippines and even outsiders like the United States are enacting domestic legislation that challenges norms,
according to China, that have been recognized by the international community.
Amid the tensions, more peaceful currents are emerging.
China and Indonesia have agreed to jointly develop waters under dispute.
And China and Malaysia also launched a bilateral dialogue on the management of maritime issues.
According to media reports,
its openness to the possibility of establishing new diplomatic arrangements with China to ease the maritime tensions between the two sides.
How can international and domestic rule of law help bring peace in the South China Sea?
Can we expect more cooperation to emerge between the claimant countries involved?
And as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Philippine relations,
can the two sides seize the opportunity to improve ties?
Welcome to The Point with me, Li Xin, coming to you from Beijing.
I'm pleased to be joined from Manila, the Philippines,
by Herman Tealoro, President of Asian Central Philippines Strategic Studies Institute.