DESPITE THEIR SOLEMN VOWS TO RESOLVE disputes over the South China Sea peacefully by directly related parties, two of China's neighbors, the Philippines and Vietnam, have been busy making more trouble lately. By repeatedly going back on their own word, they not only put their own credibility at stake, but also erode the political trust between them and China.

Both have also made clear they are trying to invite outside forces into the issue as a bargaining chip. Such attempts are doomed to fail, too.

In a forum involving specialists from around Southeast Asia in Manila on Thursday, the Philippines put forward a proposal for avoiding future conflicts in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The meeting was attended by Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay, who said the proposal was to make the disputed area a zone of peace, freedom, friendship and cooperation.