China moves to resolve naval rows

China has set up a new department to deal with border and maritime issues, in a move to resolve disputes with its neighbours.
China has fixed its land boundaries with a dozen neighbouring countries – only the Sino-Indian border remains to be settled.
But maritime boundaries have proved to be a new source of friction.
China and Japan both claim sovereignty over an island, called Diaoyutai in China and Senkaku in Japan.

China’s claim over the South China Sea has also been challenged – by Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.
The Chinese navy has fought two battles with the Vietnamese in the past three decades.
Recently the Philippine government submitted its claim over part of the Spratly Islands to a United Nations body, and the Vietnamese government is very likely to follow suit.
So far China’s policy of joint economic development with these countries in boundary areas has not paid off.
Assertive
As China grows in economic power and military strength, it has become more assertive in its maritime claims, sending retired navy ships to the disputed areas in the South China Sea.
By establishing the new department, Beijing hopes to be more effective in diplomatic negotiations as well.
As more and more natural resources are discovered in the disputed waters, the new department will have an even tougher job ahead.

By Shirong Chen
BBC China analyst