The dream of realizing the rejuvenation of China has become a slogan to accelerate the country's development and the goal of becoming a strong oceanic power has been written into its national development strategy. China's rejuvenation is happening against a backdrop of globalization and competition among different nations, and it will inevitably influence the surrounding countries and the world. China should get ready for dealing with this challenge and other countries should also acclimatize themselves to it.

As might have been expected, the proposal of establishing China as a strong oceanic power was misinterpreted by some countries as meaning that China will contend for maritime hegemony, and they made diplomatic protests against China recently.

China's diplomacy is going through a transition period. Since the beginning of opening-up and reform, China has actively tried to engage into the Western economic system and followed a policy of "hiding its capabilities and biding its time" while dealing with international affairs. It seems that "docile" is the best word to describe Chinese diplomacy. China prefers tolerance and diplomatic negotiation when handling territorial issues with relevant countries. For many years China has diplomatically protested against many others when its national interests were violated, but previously it had seldom been the target of protests.

Nowadays, China has stepped onto a new stage as the world's second biggest economy and it can boldly say "no" to other countries on international affairs. Especially since China started to focus on safeguarding maritime rights this year, more and more voices of protest from other countries have been heard.

China was protested against when it issued the new passports with a map claiming maritime sovereignty in the South China Sea and when the city of Sansha published maritime management regulations. China was protested against when those who were used to fishing or exploiting oil in China's territorial waters were dispersed or had to submit to inspection. Recently, when Chinese vessels and a marine surveillance plane went to the Diaoyu Islands in routine patrols, Japan also expressed diplomatic protests. 

Viewing all those protests, China did not do anything wrong, but just took actions to safeguard national interests. Those protesting voices are normal reaction to the implementation of China's oceanic strong power strategy. There is no need for China to make a self-criticism and it should stick to this course.

In fact, protest is a sign of weakness. It could be legitimate as well as probably unreasonable. Why do we rarely see the US protest against other countries? Because of its strong comprehensive national strength, the most common form of US diplomatic "protest" is economic sanction on others. Today, the US receives the most protests from other countries, but this hasn't obstructed the US from becoming the richest country in the world.

Although China differs from the US in values and behavior, it's inevitable for China to encounter frictions with others in the process of national rejuvenation and it is certain that the rise of China will be followed by others' protests. 

The author is director of the Maritime Politics and Strategy Studies Center at Guangdong Ocean University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn