China's space agency has released the approved list for the eighth batch of lunar sample research applications, allowing applicants to borrow samples returned by both the Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 missions.

A total of 8,550.4 milligrams of lunar samples will be lent to 18 researchers from 16 research institutions, the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center under the China National Space Administration said Friday.

The institutions include the China University of Geosciences (Beijing), the University of Hong Kong, the Macau University of Science and Technology, Beihang University and Wuhan University, among others.

China's Chang'e-6 mission collected 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side of the moon for the first time in human history. Meanwhile, the Chang'e-5 mission retrieved about 1,731 grams of lunar samples.

China has maintained a positive and open attitude and welcomes scientists from all countries to submit applications in accordance with the relevant procedures, said Ge Ping, deputy director of the center.

In July 2021, China delivered the first batch of lunar samples to research institutions. So far the country has lent seven batches of lunar samples for institutions to carry out study in fields such as lunar surface process, volcanic activity age, lunar evolution process, and mineral and volatile composition.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed drawing on the experience since the return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland in maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability in the two special administrative regions (SAR).

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks here at a gathering celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao SAR.

China maintains that when countries develop relations with Pacific Island countries, it is essential to let Pacific Island countries make their own decisions, put development first, and stay open and inclusive. No country should view Pacific Island countries as their "backyard," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday.

Lin made the marks in response to a question about Australia's announcement that it will provide substantial funding to support the police in the Solomon Islands, and that Australian media have expressed concerns about China's police cooperation with the Pacific Island nation.

We hope relevant parties will earnestly respect the independence and sovereignty of Pacific Island countries and not interfere in their internal affairs, Lin told a routine press conference.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Australia announced on Friday that it will plough 190 million Australian dollars ($118 million) into the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and set up a new police training center in the capital Honiara.

The new assistance package was unveiled by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra. In a joint statement, Albanese and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said the package would provide the Pacific island nation with an "enduring sovereign security capability" and reduce its "reliance on external partners over time," ABC reported.

Although Albanese did not name China directly, ABC claimed that the Australian Prime Minister "suggested the deal would ensure China wouldn't be able to grow its policing and security presence." 

The Australian Financial Review also hyped that the latest move by the federal government sought "to curb China's security ambitions in the Pacific," while Australia's 9News network published a report titled "Australia and Solomon Islands sign $190 million security deal in blow to China."

"This reflects the narrow mind-set of the Australian media, which views the police cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands as an erosion of Australia's influence in this South Pacific island nation," Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Friday.

China-Solomon Islands cooperation is based on equality and mutual benefit, without attaching any political conditions and not targeting any third party, Chen said. "Due to this zero-sum game mentality, the Australian side has distorted the police cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands, demonstrating its desire to exclude China's coordination with other countries in this region."

The expert further emphasized that, particularly in light of the current stabilizing and improving relations between China and Australia, the Australian media should abandon their narrow mind-set. "Australia should recognize that China is a partner rather than a competitor, and China has no intention of participating in any so-called competition with Australia in the South Pacific region. Such a narrow perspective from the Australian side is counterproductive to the advancement of bilateral relations," he said.

According to ABC on Thursday, Australian think tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute, known for its critical stance on China, will have its taxpayer funding cut after a sweeping government review of public support for national security research.

"Given the recent improving ties, Australia should collaborate more closely with China and intensify its efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, which not only aligns with the shared interests of both nations but also contributes positively to regional stability, peace, and development," Chen told the Global Times.

On December 3, one day after the US government announced yet another round of restrictions on chip sales to Chinese firms, four Chinese industry associations, including the China Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA) and the Internet Society of China (ISC), issued firmly worded statements declaring that US chip products are no longer safe and reliable. 

Behind the strongly-worded statements are the profound indignation among Chinese industries over the US government's relentless campaign to target an ever-growing number of Chinese companies, and the determination to ensure safe and reliable chip supplies for relevant Chinese industries, according to Wei Shaojun, vice chairman of the CSIA. 

"The US government has repeatedly suppressed Chinese semiconductor companies, and CSIA members have been very outraged about this. So, it is the CSIA's responsibility to speak out," Wei told the Global Times in an interview on Thursday, noting that more than 240 Chinese semiconductor companies been added to the US' so-called Entity List so far, accounting for one-quarter of the CSIA members, or one-third, if affected foreign CSIA members are included.

In the statement on December 3, the CSIA blasted the US government's latest move of adding more than 140 Chinese firms to its so-called Entity List, saying the US arbitrary export control measures against Chinese firms have affected the stable supply of US chip products. "US chip products are no longer safe and reliable and relevant Chinese industries will have to be cautious in purchasing US chips," it said.

Also making the same determination are three other Chinese industry associations that represent the main buyers of chips - the ISC, the China Association of Communications Enterprises, and the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Relevant Chinese ministries, including the Ministry of Commerce, also slammed the US move and vowed to take "necessary" measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

China's innovation edge

The statements from the Chinese industry associations showed a "stronger-than-before attitude" and "they expressed our strong indignation," Tu Xinquan, dean of China Institute for WTO Studies at the University of International Business and Economics and a consultant for the CSIA, told the Global Times.

As the US government is bent on escalating the crackdown measures, "we must take some necessary measures to firmly safeguard our legitimate rights and interests," Tu said, "we must accordingly encourage and support the purchase of reliable and safe products, whether they are made by Chinese companies or in other countries or regions." 

For domestic internet companies, they need to "promptly adjust their foreign cooperation and development strategies," Pei Wei, Deputy Secretary General of the ISC, told the Global Times in an interview. "They need to diversify the supply chain layout, especially for the procurement of key technologies and components, to reduce the reliance on a single source." 

Chinese internet companies should establish partnerships with chip manufacturers in countries and regions outside the US, strengthen support for domestic and locally produced chips, so as to diversify risks and enhance supply chain security and stability, Pei further noted. 

"At the same time, we must also improve our internal capabilities and continue to build independent research and development, production and manufacturing capabilities," Pei said. 

Wei also urged support for reliable chip supplies in the face of the US' relentless crackdown campaign. 

"We call on the Chinese government to support the stable development of reliable semiconductor suppliers; we also call on semiconductor companies in relevant countries and regions to strive to become reliable semiconductor industry suppliers," he said. "Suppression will not stop us from development. Chinese industries will become stronger and more confident in our development."  

Broader cooperation needed

In response to the US' government's relentless crackdown campaign, Chinese industries should also remain open for cooperation with their foreign counterparts, the leaders of the industries also said. 

"The current success and achievement of the semiconductor industry are the result of global competition and cooperation. Closed development is not conducive to technological progresses and breakthroughs in the industry, and will harm the interests of global consumers," Wei said, urging the US to return to the stage for fair competition. 

Tu noted that it is the US government's policies, not US companies, that make US chip products unsafe and unreliable. "The restrictions are on exports, so they are actually restrictions on US companies," he said. 

Pei of the ISC also called for principles of openness, inclusiveness and win-win results for international cooperation. "Chinese and foreign industries can conduct deep cooperation in areas such as research and development, market exploration and talent training to share the development results," Pei said.  

President Xi Jinping on Friday said the central authorities fully support Hong Kong in aligning with national strategies and fostering new momentum and advantages for economic development, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing. During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Lee on Hong Kong's current situation and the HKSAR government's work.

Noting that Hong Kong faces new development opportunities, Xi said the central authorities would fully, firmly and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" policy, and fully support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in uniting and leading all sectors of society in actively pursuing reform and progress, and in pursuing prosperity through innovation and creativity.
Strong backing

According to the HKSAR government, Lee's briefing includes the latest economic, social and political situation in Hong Kong.

Commending Lee's work over the past year, Xi said Lee had led the HKSAR government in shouldering responsibilities and delivering concrete results.

In the past year, the HKSAR government has completed historic legislation under Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law, pooled resources in boosting economic development, addressed livelihood problems such as housing and healthcare, strengthened external exchanges and cooperation, and continuously enhanced Hong Kong's international prestige, thus further consolidating Hong Kong's positive momentum of stability and development, Xi said.

The central authorities fully acknowledge the work done by Lee and the HKSAR government, he said.

Fan Peng, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Political Sciences, said that in 2024, one of the most outstanding achievements is the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, a historic mission.

"In terms of system design, the legislation makes Hong Kong's accountability to the central government something that is no longer an abstract political principle, but internalized in the operation of 'one country, two systems' and the actual governance of Hong Kong," Fan said.

According to the expert, in the past two years, the HKSAR government effectively handled a series of thorny issues involving the sovereign interests of national security. At the same time, Hong Kong has also carried out wide-ranging patriotic education, with the social atmosphere clearly changing.

Lee's report in Beijing came after the annual Central Economic Work Conference in the capital, which stressed the need to implement more proactive and impactful macro policies, expand high-standard opening up and keep foreign trade and foreign investment stable.

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies think tank, believed that the central government appreciates that in the past year or two, HKSAR was seeking opportunities in the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries to mitigate the impact from Western repression and attempts to weaken the foundation of Hong Kong's economic development. But at the same time, it also requires Hong Kong to continue to step up efforts to open up space for international activities.

At such a critical point in time, Xi spoke highly of the HKSAR under Lee, which actually shows that the central government has consistently attached importance to the significant status and positive role of Hong Kong, and has unswervingly supported the region, and has always been a strong backing for Hong Kong's development, Fan said.

Further integration expected

Lee's itinerary, which runs from December 11 to 14, also includes meetings with members of various central government ministries, Hong Kong-based media said.

Before Lee's briefing to President Xi, Lee met with Beijing-based business people from Hong Kong as well as representatives from top universities in China's capital, calling for better interaction and integration between the mainland and Hong Kong.

During a lunch meeting on Thursday with 15 Hong Kong business representatives in Beijing, Lee praised the Hong Kong business community's efforts to promote the complementarity and mutual benefit of resources between Beijing and Hong Kong, and expected further strengthening of cooperation and exchanges, according to Lee's Facebook post.

Lee also encouraged young Hong Kong people in Beijing to embrace the unlimited opportunities for personal growth and asked Hong Kong business communities to help more Beijing companies list in Hong Kong and invest overseas using Hong Kong as a stepping stone, according to South China Morning Post.

After the lunch meeting, the chief executive held discussions with leaders from top-tier universities including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University, Beijing Normal University, Beihang University and Beijing Institute of Technology.

In a Facebook post after the meeting, Lee expressed gratitude for the institutions' continued support for Hong Kong, and hoped to foster cooperation between mainland and Hong Kong universities. He called for a joint effort to build a "talent highland," complementing each other's advantages.

According to Lau, reform and innovation are the two principles that Hong Kong should follow in its future governance and development, which makes its cooperation and integration with the mainland particularly important.

As an international financial hub, Hong Kong has advantages in terms of outbound business investment and internationalization, while the mainland has advantages in its number of talents, unified large market and policy efficiency, Fan noted, emphasizing the complementary advantages of the two places.

"Under the framework of 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong can integrate the advantages of governance capacity from both sides, which is more important in the long run than simply talking about short-term growth," Fan added.

"The Greater Bay Area is a crucial growth pole in the Chinese path to modernization. The mainland and Hong Kong have made great explorations not only in terms of trade and finance, and social connectivity, but also in terms of policy and institutional connectivity," Fan said, "The purpose is to drive innovation in science and technology, business and finance, and create new growth points with the Greater Bay Area as a whole."

The central government has set high expectations for Hong Kong in that regard, Fan said, noting that at a time when the dividends of globalization and the vitality of global innovation are declining, governance capacity is particularly important.

HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, said at a business forum on Wednesday that the number of foreign and Chinese mainland firms as well as start-ups in Hong Kong has reached new highs in 2024, and the HKSAR will further help mainland businesses "go global" and attract foreign investment.

Ahead of Lee's departure on December 9, he met with Ren Hongbin, head of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in Hong Kong. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening economic and trade exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong, and facilitating the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Over the past year, China has played a proactive and practical role in supporting the development of Global South, Ma Xiaojun, a research fellow at the Institute of Global Governance and Development at Renmin University of China, said at the Global Times Annual Conference 2025, themed "Moving forward in Partnership: Resonance of Values between China and the World," on Saturday.

Ma's statement was made during the session on "The Resurgence of the Awakening of the Global South: Mutual Learning and Resonance" of the conference, where he highlighted that 2024 as a significant year for Global South cooperation, noting its growing strategic impact on multilateral and bilateral platforms. 

Ma pointed out that China's "Global South diplomacy" is taking shape in several key ways: First, China increasingly identifies as part of the Global South, with the term gaining prominence in its diplomatic discourse. Second, China's head-of-state diplomacy is steering and guiding the Global South diplomatic framework, promoting unity among Global South countries. Third, over the past year, China has become an active supporter and practitioner of development for the Global South, with a large number of high-quality projects being implemented globally, bringing confidence and hope to Global South countries.

The Global South brings together a large number of regional and medium-sized powers, Ma noted. In a world undergoing changes unseen in a century, China should focus its diplomacy on these nations. 

Furthermore, within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative or in a broader context, it is essential to strengthen the implementation of China's major policies aimed at the people and development of the Global South "to achieve tangible results," Ma said.

China successfully launched a group of low-orbit internet satellites into preset orbits via the Long March-5B/Yuanzheng-2 upper stage from Wenchang Space Launch Site in South China's Hainan Province on Monday at 6 pm. 

The flight marks the 552th flight of the Long March rocket family.

Following the latest round of encounters between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, the US, Japan and the Philippines held a joint exercise within Manila's exclusive economic zone on Friday, a move playing a destructive role for managing differences and undermining regional peace and stability.

According to a statement released by the US Indo-Pacific Command (PACOM), participating units included a US Navy P-8A Poseidon from Patrol Squadron 47; the Philippine Navy BRP Andres Bonifacio and a C-90; and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer JS Samidare (DD 106).

It said that "the combined armed and defense forces of Japan, the Philippines, and the US, demonstrating a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, conducted a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone."

On Wednesday, China implemented control measures against Philippine ships that attempted to intrude into the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao. On Monday, the China Coast Guard (CCG) stated that it had taken necessary management and control measures against Philippine vessels that recently illegally gathered in the waters of China's Houteng Jiao.

Teresita Daza, spokesperson for the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), said on Thursday that the DFA has formally lodged a protest with China over the latest incident around Huangyan Dao. The latest diplomatic complaint brings the number of protests Manila has filed against Beijing this year to 60, with the total coming to 193 since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, she said, per the Philippines News Agency. 

Chinese military expert Song Zhongping said PACOM's use of the term "Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity," rather than "patrol" or "drill," suggests that this event is seen more as a routine operation, suggesting enhanced military deployments and a greater regular military presence in the Philippines.

In order to increase its strength to provoke China, the Philippines is trying to attract various kinds of support from its allies outside the region, whether it is verbal, formal or substantive, and is even willing to yield its strategic independence and sovereign interests, Song said.

The Philippines is trying to stoke the South China Sea issue by constantly creating trouble so as to accumulate new discourse materials for the cognitive war of building the "China threat" rhetoric, Ding Duo, a deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times.

The intervention of external forces may encourage the Philippines in the short term, but from the perspective of crisis management of maritime disputes, it has a destructive and negative catalytic effect on the maritime situation, Ding said. 

China's thinking and position in dealing with the South China Sea issue maintains continuity and stability, and flame-fanning from the US and Japan will not affect China's strategic focus, but will cause the Philippines to pay a price, Song said.

Manila's anxiety

One day before the joint drill, the Philippines and Japan on Thursday signed a 1.6-billion-yen ($10.65 million) security assistance deal to boost Manila's maritime security and surveillance abilities, Reuters reported. 

Japan will provide the Philippine Navy with equipment such as rigid-hulled inflatable boats and coastal radar systems under its Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) programme, while The Philippine Air Force will receive equipment to support its air surveillance radar system from Tokyo, Reuters said. 

The DFA said the assistance from Japan will improve the country's "capabilities to deter threats to peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region," per the Phil Star. 

Behind the recent provocations against China and the strengthening of cooperation with Japan is the Marcos administration's aim of distracting attention from domestic contradictions and seeking political self-interest. But more importantly, it also reflects Manila's concern and anxiety over future Philippine-US relations, according to Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies. 

The expert said that under the concept of "America First" of the incoming US administration, Manila may have to exert more effort and even leverage in order to maintain the US-Philippines relationship, he noted. 

"So in the last phase of the Biden administration, Manila wants to create some fait accompli in terms of policy framework that would be difficult to change after Donald Trump takes office," said Chen, "Manila may be trying to remind or even kidnap Washington by stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, hoping that the incoming US administration will give it more substantive support."

Chen said that in contrast to the uncertainty from the US, Japan, which is becoming increasingly involved in the South China Sea issue, represents a certainty that Manila can rely upon, as weapons and equipment provided by Tokyo can, to some extent, play a substitute role for the US.

Japan had provided coastal surveillance radars to the Philippine Navy in fiscal 2023 as well, according to Jiji press. In May 2024, Japan agreed to provide the Philippines with a 64.3 billion yen low-interest loan for the acquisition of five additional Japanese patrol vessels, according to Kyodo News, which also noted that Japan has already provided 12 patrol ships, called "multi-role response vessels" to the Philippine Coast Guard since 2016. 

In July this year, the Philippines and Japan signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement, which permits the deployment of their forces on each other's soil for joint combat training and drills.

Japan is likely to move from a supporting role in military aid and cooperation with the Philippines to a leading role, helping to elevate Manila's defense and coast guard capabilities, and giving it more infiltration of interests in the Philippines, just as the US did in the past, Chen said. 

It cannot be ruled out that Japan may even establish a maritime Self-Defense Force base in the Philippines in the future, Chen added. 

Ding said that Japan's active interference in the South China Sea is aimed at giving itself more leverage and easing its pressure in the Diaoyu Islands disputes, while gradually realizing the goal of becoming a "normal country" capable of possessing military power and becoming militarized through military equipment aid to the Philippines. 

Japan's move is a cause for alarm, as it had a very shameful history in Southeast Asia during the Second World War, said Ding.

China's average temperature in November hit a record high since 1961, standing nearly 2 C above the historical norm, said the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) on Thursday. 

The CMA held a press conference to present the weather and climate characteristics of November, the climate trend forecast for December and release a bulletin for the China's greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, as reported by China Central Television (CCTV).

Jia Xiaolong, a deputy head of the National Climate Center, said during the press conference that the average temperature in November reached its highest level since 1961, approximately 2 C above the historical norm. Despite two strong cold air events, their frequency was lower than usual, resulting in significant temperature fluctuations. 

In terms of precipitation, the country experienced above-average rainfall, with daily precipitation records for November broken in many areas. Heavy snowstorms occurred in parts of Northeast China and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with localized snowfall breaking historical records, Jia said.

Meanwhile, typhoon activities were unusually active, with four typhoons forming in November, 1.9 times more than average, compared with the same period in previous years, according to the conference. Meteorological droughts emerged and developed periodically in regions including western parts of southern China, while other areas experienced moderate to severe drought conditions.

Frequent cold air movements are expected in December, with significant temperature fluctuations across most of the country, said Jia. Temperatures in regions including most of Northeast China and Southeast China are predicted to be lower than usual, while other areas will see temperatures near or above the historical norm. Precipitation will be concentrated in the Northeast and Southwest regions, with below-average rainfall expected in East and Central China.

Three major meteorological risks are highlighted for December, according to the report. Frequent cold air events may lead to low temperatures, strong winds and rain-snow freezing disasters, potentially impacting agriculture, transportation and energy sectors, requiring proactive prevention. 

Also, areas with below-average rainfall should enhance forest fire prevention as drought conditions may worsen in some regions. Lastly, during cold air intermissions, air pollution may occur in parts of northern China. Therefore, it is suggested that monitoring is enhanced.

The China Greenhouse Gas Bulletin 2023 was also released during the conference, which marks the 13th consecutive year that the CMA has published China's greenhouse gas monitoring data, according to The Paper.

Observations from the Waliguan Baseline Observatory showed that the annual average concentration of carbon dioxide in 2023  is consistent with the global average growth rate. Concentrations of methane and nitrous oxide also showed increasing trends, although their growth rates were slightly lower than the global average.

According to The Paper, under the framework of the World Meteorological Organization, the CMA is responsible for high-precision greenhouse gas monitoring in China, employing internationally aligned methods, standards and procedures. A comprehensive high-precision greenhouse gas observation network has been established nationwide. 

Moreover, China's Zhongshan National Atmospheric Background Station in Antarctica will conduct continuous and long-term operational observations of the concentration changes in Antarctic atmospheric components, and present its findings of the average state of the atmospheric composition and related characteristics in the region, according to the China Meteorological Administration, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency.

The CMA, as a scientific and foundational support department in addressing climate change, plays an increasingly important role in greenhouse gas monitoring, according to the conference. In the future, the CMA will accelerate the construction of a greenhouse gas observation network covering major cities and regions, strengthen dynamic analyses, and provide robust data support for China's carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals.

Siding with allies indiscriminately with no regard for what is right and what is wrong will find no international support. Ignoring basic facts and infringing on other's sovereign rights and interests in the name of law will end in failure, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said while delivering a keynote speech via video at the 5th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is prepared to work with relevant countries to properly handle maritime differences through negotiations and consultations, maintain peace and stability at sea, and promote lasting ocean security.

Experts and scholars participating in the Symposium also emphasized the importance of resolving maritime disputes through peaceful negotiations based on mutual respect within a multilateral framework.

China believes firmly that enhancing dialogue and cooperation, maintaining maritime peace and stability, and advancing global ocean governance represent the general consensus and the prevailing sentiment of the international community, said Wang, adding that China is ready to work hand in hand with the international community to turn the ocean into a place of peace and tranquility, a source of prosperity and development, and a platform of inter-civilization exchange and integration shared by all countries of the world.

During a session titled Settlement of Maritime Disputes: Dialogue or Confrontation, participating experts agreed that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and cooperation.  

In recent time, due to continuous provocations by the Philippines under the instigation of the US, disputes in the South China Sea have become increasingly internationalized and complex. Rommel C. Banlaoi, Chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, told Global Times that Philippines government is implementing what he calls an excessive pro-Americanism in its foreign policy, adding that ASEAN is not comfortable with that. 

Banlaoi noted that the ASEAN way is balancing relationships between the two major powers, China, and the US, however, the Philippines is favoring the US against China, which is against the principle of ASEAN for friendship, peace and neutrality in the region. 

Sorajak Kasemsuvan, a council member of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council from Thailand, said that "we have to make sure that all relevant parties continue to engage in dialogue." Ongoing dialogue is essential for enabling cooperation among nations on maritime resources, biodiversity, and environmental issues. Relevant countries should make it clear to external parties that they are managing their own affairs and do not need foreign interference, Kasemsuvan told the Global Times, commenting on the South China Sea issue.

"History shows us that the best way to progress human beings on this planet is through dialogue, not through confrontation. We know that is the central lesson of history," Peter Thomson, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean, told the Global Times. He also expressed his hope that the South China Sea issue will be resolved by peaceful discussions between the parties involved.

The Symposium, which kicked off on Tuesday in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, attracted nearly 300 participants, including experts, scholars, former political leaders, senior diplomats from foreign embassies in China and representatives from international organizations and maritime agencies.