China Media Group Establishes Expert Committee on South China Sea Studies for Enhanced Regional Cooperation

China Media Group Forms Expert Committee on South China Sea Studies

On March 29, 2025, the China Media Group (CMG) inaugurated an expert committee in Sanya, Hainan Province, China, dedicated to studying the South China Sea. This important initiative aggregates the expertise of 28 specialists from various notable institutions, including the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

The committee's primary goal is to promote peace and development in the South China Sea through rational and impartial representation of interests. By pooling intellectual resources, it aims to provide insight and support for regional stability and collaboration among nations of the region.

A New Approach to Regional Cooperation

Wu Shicun, a committee member and head of the Huayang Research Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, noted that this initiative brings together multidisciplinary and multinational experts specializing in maritime research. This collaborative platform is expected to elevate political discussions and foster intellectual exchanges concerning the South China Sea region.

Ong Tee Keat, another committee member and former Minister of Transport in Malaysia, emphasized the successful model of cooperation between China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). He believes the establishment of the committee is timely and crucial for ensuring regional integration and multilateralism.

Peter T.C. Chang, an academic associated with the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, stressed the importance of Southeast Asian nations determining their regional destinies independently. By adhering to an