The South China Sea issue is one of the top agendas of the Beijing Xiangshan regional security forum which closed on Tuesday. Analysts and defense officials agreed that differences over claims to the area can be reconciled through dialogue.  

HE LEI, Former Vice President, PLA Academy of Military Sciences "How to resolve these differences and disputes? Our attitude is two-fold. First, we should abide by the signed Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea that is being actively promoted, and adopt the 'dual-track approach' to resolve the issue through peaceful negotiations. Second, we should firmly oppose intervention by countries outside the region. The United States is provoking trouble and causing instability in the South China Sea."

POOMJAI LEKSUNTARAKORN, Commanding General, National Defense Studies Institute, Thailand "What we have in the DOC to be put on the COC. It is not only on the ASEAN member states to agree with that China has to agree with that. It is a common benefit for both sides. Even the country in ASEAN is not a claiming state, like Thailand and Laos. I think we try to come up good result for everybody, every country in ASEAN and China."

ROMMEL C. BANLAOI, President, Philippine Society for Intl. Security Studies "One of doing these is for ASEAN to facilitate in building an opportunity for the Philippines and China to discuss their differences and eventually manage their differences. You know the conflicts between China and the Philippines on the South China Sea are reconcilable differences. We can manage the difference through conversation and direct negotiations."