On March 27, 2025, the South China Sea Sub-forum of Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 was held in Boao, Hainan, which was attended by about 150 officials and scholars from China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Viet Nam and other countries and international organizations. Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.
Chen Xiaodong first introduced the historical merits and legal basis of China's claims to rights in the South China Sea, stressing that China has sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters, and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters. At present, certain countries directly concerned in the South China Sea continue to make infringements and provocations at sea in pursuit of illegal interests, and some countries outside the region frequently play the "South China Sea card" and increase military projection in the South China Sea, posing risks and challenges to peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Chen Xiaodong pointed out that China will continue to implement the vision of a maritime community with a shared future proposed by President Xi Jinping, encourage all parties to resolve maritime disputes through bilateral negotiations, manage the maritime situation through dialogue and cooperation, guard against and firmly oppose external forces from disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea, and shape regional order through the establishment of rules. China will remain committed to being a stabilizing force in the peaceful development of the South China Sea, and is ready to work with all parties to continue writing a new chapter of peace, stability, prosperity and development in the South China Sea.
The sub-forum was hosted by the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, focusing on in-depth exchanges and discussions on the order building in the South China Sea region, consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, environmental protection practices and regional cooperation in the South China Sea, and maritime economic integration.
