South China Sea discussion

China morning round-up: More South China Sea discussion

South China Sea disputes are becoming a key factor in ties between China and its neighbours

Friday's newspapers continue the debate on territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

The Global Times reports the Foreign Ministry's called for "peace and stability" in the Asia-Pacific region, after the first batch of US Marines deployed in Australia's northern port of Darwin.
Washington has stressed that it is not an attempt to isolate China, yet the move has irritated Beijing given the proximity of Darwin to the South China Sea.
Hong Lei, the ministry's spokesperson, said that China should be allowed to have direct discussions with Asean countries on drafting a "code of conduct" for the South China Sea, reports the Beijing Times.
The proposed code - based on the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea - is meant to regulate how countries should behave in settling territorial claims in order to avoid any stand-offs or clashes.
The Global Times' bilingual editorial warns that encircling China on South China Sea or any other issue "may have [an] international backlash".
"The troubles China faces today are caused by its rise," said the editorial. "China must be confident and keep calm. These disturbances are a reflection of the anxiety of other countries and should be handled quietly."
Meanwhile, Shanghai Daily and Beijing Times say China's tourism authority denied previous reports that the country will soon launch sightseeing tours to one of the disputed Spratly islands, saying such reports were "fabricated".
Beijing News, however, reports that the southern island province of Hainan is still planning the tourism move.