As the South China sea issue was addressed during the Asia Security Shangri-la Dialogue, a Chinese official has said that the island claimed both by China and the Philippines are clearly outside the latter's territorial boundaries according to Manila's own cartography. And, China might be willing to reduce security around the disputed shoal if the Philippines "admit their mistake."

Wu Shicun, president of National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said, "I believe the Huangyan island dispute has been started solely by the Philippines. Today, I brought a Philippine map from 2006-2011 -- Huangyan island is completely outside the Philippines' western territorial boundaries. If the Philippines admit their mistake and stops being a threat to the Huangyan Island, then we don't think the Huangyan Island area inherently poses any risk. We might just have some fishery patrol ships there to protect fishing activities."