Environmental cooperation in the South China Sea requires joint efforts

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY Marine environmental protection is an important part of marine governance. This cooperation has played an important role in avoiding the continuous and rapid deterioration of the ecosystem and biodiversity in the South China Sea, which is conducive to the regional marine environmental governance of the coastal countries in the semi-enclosed sea and has created favorable conditions for the countries concerned to dilute the negative effects of the disputes and enhance mutual trust. Through these cooperation practices, we can not only hear the voices and echoes of the coastal countries in the South China Sea for deepening cooperation in regional marine environmental protection and fishery resource conservation, but also feel that China and ASEAN countries still have a relatively deep civil foundation and increasingly urgent practical needs in translating consensus into practical actions. Policy is only one side of the problem, and the shortcomings of some countries in their ability to protect the marine environment also constrain their willingness to deepen regional cooperation in the South China Sea. Despite the provocative nature of the Philippines' policy in the South China Sea, China has remained patient, shown goodwill, and persuaded with good words, and has put forward cooperation initiatives on fisheries, marine environmental protection, and marine plastic waste management, which are highly in line with the Philippines' practical needs to improve its own marine governance capabilities.