At the beginning of this New Year, the peaceful settlement of the South China Sea issue shows a good momentum.

The fourth Senior Official's Meeting attended by China and the ASEAN on implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in South China Sea was held in Beijing during Jan. 13 and Jan. 15, 2012. China has made positive and creative efforts for promoting the peaceful settlement of the South China Sea issue.

The gradual cooling of the South China Sea issue indicates that to solve the South China Sea disputes through negotiations and consultations is welcomed and in line with the interests of the parties involved in.

Related countries in the area surrounding the South China Sea are now in the ascendant phase of economy and their cooperation in trade and economy is deepened constantly. The hard-won good development environment needs to be maintained by every country together.

The key to solve the South China Sea issue through consultation lies in cooperation. China has always proposed to shelve disputes and carry out joint development and done lots of practical things for promoting the cooperation in the South China Sea.

To boost the pragmatic cooperation, China has set up the three-billion-yuan China-ASEAN maritime cooperation funds. China also makes efforts to promote the constantly deepened cooperation with the ASEAN in various fields and creates conditions for the settlement of the South China Sea issue through negotiation.

At the same time, China fully respects the position and consideration of the ASEAN and would discuss and draft “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" with the ASEAN when conditions permit.

The South China Sea disputes have brought some troubles for the relations between China and the ASEAN. Even under such circumstances, China still insists on peaceful settlement of the disputers through negotiation and friendly consultations and has made some achievements, showing that China has the ability and confidence to insist on the peaceful settlement of the South China Sea issue. To maintain the peace of the South China Sea is the common responsibility of the surrounding countries. So, China's efforts should win the positive response of related nations.

Common efforts of all parties are needed to cool down the South China Sea issue and create a more favorable environment for the peaceful settlement of this issue.

Now the key is the determination to push forward this process step by step. As long as stepping forward, no matter the step is big or small, the target of peaceful settlement will be nearer.

The countries will make progress if they work together to create an atmosphere, build up mutual trust, make efforts unremittingly and carry out cooperation in the fields where cooperation can be carried out.

Today's China is far more powerful than ever before, which also provides us much space to solve the South China Sea issue peacefully. We are required to continue to blaze new trails.

This year is the tenth anniversary of the signing of the "Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea". This Senior Official's Meeting opened a good start for the trend of South China Sea issue in this year. China hopes all parties can understand her sincerity and efforts, seize the rare existing opportunities, maintain pragmatic cooperation, promote peace and stability and achieve more concrete results.