Signalling a departure from the aggressive policy to stake China's territorial claims with its neighbours, President Xi Jinping today said Beijing will adhere to the policy of "shelving disputes and carrying out joint development" in areas where it has sovereign claims.
"The country will adhere to the policy of shelving disputes and carrying out joint development for areas over which China owns sovereign rights, while also promoting mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation and seeking and expanding common converging interests with other countries," state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as saying at a high level ruling Politburo meeting of the ruling Communist Party meet here today.
His remarks marks a significant departure from a very aggressive policy pursued by China in the last two years in asserting its claims over the South China Sea, besides maritime disputes with Japan over the islands jointly claimed by both countries.
Observers say his comments were more on the lines of China's late moderate leader Deng Xiaoping who after taking over from Mao Zedong reported to have suggested to various countries including India and Japan to shelve the disputes to pursue development.
China's hardline approach on the South China Sea disputes involving several small countries including, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei besides Taiwan cost Beijing a great deal of goodwill and virtually drove all these countries towards US seeking its intervention.
While several incursions by the Chinese troops along of Line of Actual Control (LAC) had a negative impact on the India-China relations, the Sino-Japan ties were at its worst over aggressive patrolling launched by the Chinese maritime vessels at the disputed islands in the East China Sea.
His remarks toning down China's aggressive approach came after the US Senate approved a resolution two days ago calling for a peaceful solution to the disputes in the East and South China Seas.
