China has often come under criticism from its neighbors and western nations for being a key polluter of air and water. At the moment, China wants to cooperate with other nations in efforts to cleaning the oceans to protect sea life.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for speeding up “innovation” in ocean technologies and creating blue partnerships with other countries in a recent speech.
He suggested improvements in efforts to stop China has often come under criticism from its neighbors and western nations for being a key polluter of air and water. At the moment, China wants to cooperate with other nations in efforts to cleaning the oceans to protect sea life. and protect animals that are affected by it.
He also urged cooperation with other nations in resource development.
Experts believe such offers would help China improve its image with other countries, especially some of its neighbors in Asia. The latest proposal for cooperation follows a series of attempts by China to reach out to other countries in Asia.
Professor at the National University of Singapore’s public policy school Eduardo Araral told that China’s invitation of cleaning as part of a larger campaign aimed at gaining more acceptances with its neighbors. China approaches things using all tools and all means possible, from hard power to soft power to diplomacy”.
He said that some Southeast Asian countries that have territorial disputes with China would likely welcome joint pollution control. The disputes are centered on the South China Sea. China claims most of the 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea as its territory. Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim parts of the waterway.
He further added that he thinks new cooperation efforts between China and its neighbors could help stop over fishing. They also may lead to research on joint resource development. Some Southeast Asian nations will welcome China’s invitation if they are not asked to give up their territorial claims in the South China Sea.