Opinions regarding the South China Sea have been issued with increasing frequency by Chinese diplomats lately. According to Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, although conflicts arise over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in this region, dialogue and negotiation should always be the policies the related countries pursue.

On January 6, Yi Xianliang, deputy director general of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, exchanged views with netizens. According to Yi, the South China Sea issue becoming hot last year reflects the challenges caused by the many changes around China and across the world.

Liu Zhenmin, assistant foreign minister in charge of Asian affairs, said in an interview on January 8, "For now, the situation in the South China Sea is generally peaceful and stable. Overseas forces should not intervene in South China Sea disputes." He also refuted the claim that free voyage through the South China Sea was threatened.

All of the opinions demonstrate that the attention of China - from the authorities to the media and common people - is hardly any less focused than that of the international community toward South China Sea issue, and gives rise to just as much "public-opinion warfare."

For example, a tough-talking scholar recently asserted that China should immediately turn to resolving the South China Sea issue, "otherwise it will be too late to retake the territory."

Chinese authorities' coping strategy regarding the issue of the South China Sea can be summed-up in three aspects:

First, firmly claim sovereignty. Deng Xiaoping once proposed three principles of claiming sovereignty, putting aside disputes and jointly exploiting resources. In recent years, debates and doubts about Deng's three principles have intensified, with some voices hoping to downplay the sovereignty disputes and strengthen joint exploitation.

However, with the issue heating up at home and abroad and China's national strength being promoted and its international influence expanded, sovereignty over the South China Sea has gradually become consensus.

Second, China strives to resolve maritime disputes through bilateral negotiations, including via methods like visits from top officials, multilateral diplomacy and summit diplomacy. It is also important to better communicate with members of the Association of Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN), such as Thailand and Indonesia, lest they form coalitions and attempt to establish anti-China alliances on the issue of the South China Sea.

Third, we must not exclude the military option. Chinese authorities always choose to resolve the issue peacefully. But being prepared militarily is still regarded as an important part of the basic strategy.

Given China's national strength and overall military power, moderate and measured development of military capabilities toward this issue is not unwarranted. In the long run, it will help resolve issues surrounding the South China Sea.

China's military strategy has been focused on defense. The modernization of its military power is mainly in preparation for possible conflicts over the Taiwan Straits. This can serve as an example as to how military readiness can be used toward handling the issue of the South China Sea.

The US remains an important external factor which influences cross-Straits relations. In recent years, cross-Straits relations have eased. In addition to the economic benefits which are being enjoyed by both sides, the buildup of military equipment has made it more difficult for the US to use its military to interfere in cross-Straits relations.

The US played an important role in the heating-up of the South China Sea issue. Beside enhancing communication with the US, China also needs to strengthen its ability to deal militarily with potential conflicts that might arise in the South China Sea.

By holding firm on sovereignty, cooling down resentment through exchanges and not excluding military reaction, China may take the initiative to solve the problems around the South China Sea. But it is not going to be easy, especially in terms of leading public opinion in the same direction.

The author is an observer on international issues at Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn