"CHINA AND COMPROMISE

As exclusive control over the waters of the South China Sea becomes ever less likely, China has shown itself to be open to compromise.

In 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping offered Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte the possibility of joint oil and gas exploration in the disputed waters, with 60 per cent of the profits going to the Philippines in exchange for the latter giving up its claims to islands China has already seized.
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Ultimately, the deal was not politically viable as a result of having been unilaterally proposed. However, a deal to this effect could be negotiated by the relevant parties through a robust diplomatic mechanism, dividing the profits of oil and gas exploration, limiting over-fishing, and agreeing to share exclusive economic zones.

This would resolve the issues in a way that would enable leaders to claim certain victories and point to others’ concessions, thus providing the legitimacy required for the treaties to be ratified domestically. Furthermore, such a structure could apply to multiple claimant states, not just bilaterally.

Realistically, technocratic deliberation is the key to de-escalation within the region. Settlement now, facilitated by the technocratic governance of the parties involved, is preferable to uncontrolled escalation later.

Asian nations have been pragmatic about their disputes for several decades, and all have benefited enormously from regional stability.

Today, they face a choice between resolving the South China Sea dispute in a mutually profitable manner and potentially sparking a war that draws in major military powers.

If Asia wants to demonstrate its capacity for global leadership, it must start by calming its own waters."
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/south-china-sea-claims-technocratic-way-to-peace-0