South China Sea Special Region Proposal Announced

Luo Yuan, an Academy of Military Science researcher and member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, has designed a proposal declaring that China should launch a South China Sea special administrative region. He feels that this will emphasize its authority over areas like Nansha, Xisha and the Dongsha islands – as well as their surrounding waters.

This proposal states that China can mark its rule over the area by five key measures that include legal, economic, military, administrative and media presences in the region. The proposal also affirms that diplomatic, economic and legal means should be used to solve any territorial disputes with military solutions only as back-up measure, reports China Daily.

Yuan recommends, however, that China set up station troops on the islands, as well as sending naval patrols and using the national flag as a territorial mark wherever possible. He would like China’s fishermen to be encouraged to fish in the area and major energy companies, like China National Offshore Oil Corp., to be able to explore for offshore oil and gas resources in the region.

Lastly, the proposal suggests that China should publish a South China Sea white paper to exemplify China’s historical sovereignty over the many islands and waters in close proximity.