China’s sovereignty over the South China Sea and adjacent waters is a reasonable, legitimate historical fact that can’t be denied by any party, any means. It is utterly groundless to accuse China of violating international law, and the US-inspired tribunal merely increases tension to no purpose.

Though The Hague ruling pertains to the Philippines-China dispute, it will bolster similar claims by other states against China’s nine-dash line; it will increase pressure on China to seek a negotiated resolution to the overlapping claims; and it will circumscribe China’s SCS claims. In response, China must assure the ASEAN states of its benign intentions, dispelling impressions of hegemonic intentions.

After the South China Sea arbitration ruling, uncertainty and friction may increase in the region. However, the economic promise of China’s rise and the Asian century will only materialize with peace and stability in the region.

China has an overall strategic environment and strategic tasks that are much bigger than the South China Sea issue. China should proceed from the perspective of the strategic situation, make peace with neighboring countries, and finally persuade the US to accept China’s role in Asia. Governments of China’s neighbors may support one element in the Chinese government’s basic position on the South China Sea issue, but not necessarily all elements, and Beijing must balance its strategic priorities.

Enhancing ties with Beijing gives Russia some breathing room as the country is squeezed politically and economically because of its moves in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Doubts about Russia’s ability to pay back debts and good faith in pursuing such cooperation aside, there are benefits for China, too, in balancing US global power and influence.

The untimely passing of Ambassador Wu Jianmin is a reminder that President Xi’s mantra of “no conflict or confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation” is worth repeating by more “doves” in both countries. The China-US relationship must be guided by more common sense, so that the “core interests” of both sides will not be undercut by “hawks” craving for war.

Taking advantage of the gap between the common-sense understanding shared by a small group of legal experts and the general public’s misunderstanding of international law, the U.S. is labeling China’s non-recognition of any award as non-compliance with international law. China must make the public — and scholars — appreciate the difference between general rules and exceptional rules.

The Philippines is being used by the US merely as a pawn to serve the strategic interests of the US. It is precisely because we have seen through this that we choose to resist the South China Sea arbitration -- a political farce under the cloak of law -- and reject any award that comes out of the arbitration.

The foreign policy of a sovereign country is closely associated with making friends, but foreign policy is not the only factor. With the ongoing implementation of its policy of reform and opening-up, China continues to make more new friends with developing and developed countries. Now, China has established economic, trade and cultural relations with almost all countries and regions in the world – all without benefit of a military-alliance system.

Whereas aircraft carriers have long provided the U.S. naval primacy as floating islands, China is creating its own artificial islands, complete with deep channels, harbors, berthing areas and airfields, all manned by thousands of troops, to counter that primacy. The consequences of a military clash could easily be disastrous and must be avoided. The politics of keeping the overall U.S.-China relationship on track is a particular challenge in the U.S. during a presidential election year, when candidates are posturing to an unexpectedly populist electorate.