China's laudable endeavor to build safe havens for all on South China Sea

BEIJING, Jan. 7 -- China's southernmost airport, built on a reef in the South China Sea, embodies the country's aspirations to significantly improve emergency-readiness in the area.

The newly-built airfield on Yongshu Jiao, Nansha Islands, meets civil aviation standards and can accommodate large and medium-sized aircraft, as proven by the successfully landing and taking-off of an Airbus 319 and a Boeing 737 there on Wednesday.

The huge undertaking by China to build an airfield fit for civil aviation in the middle of a vast sea deserves applause, since the engineering feat promises to bring unprecedented benefits not only to Chinese island dwellers but also to the large number of trade vessels travelling in the area.

China's construction activities on South China Sea, which by the way are all within its sovereignty, aim to build a series of safe havens to better protect human lives and property that are often vulnerable in the rough seas.

Harbors, navigation-supporting facilities, upgraded search and rescue services, maritime meteorological services and fishing services will be available to serve both Chinese and foreign vessels following the projects' completion.

It is regrettable that China's goodwill to upgrade rudimentary public services in the South China Sea has also become a reason for protest for some countries.

However, it is worth noting that these countries seized control in the 1970s of what is rightfully China's territory, and are increasingly ganging up against China without any consideration to regional peace and stability.

China has long exercised restraint in the South China Sea. Instead of resorting to force to take back the illegally occupied territories, China has made it clear that it hopes to resolve the disputes via bilateral talks.

The approach, which partially derives from China's resolve to uphold peace and stability in the region and beyond, should by no means be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness. < By making unsavory comments on China's bid to build safe havens for all in the Sea, the countries concerned have revealed their own pettiness and shortsightedness.