Being one of the world’s most important arenas for maritime trade, the South China Sea carries an estimated one-third of global shipping and 40 per cent of China’s foreign trade. Prof Li Mingjiang from NTU Singapore pointed out in a Lianhe Zaobao report that China has weakened its strong moves in the South China Sea, with the constructive activities and military deployment in the reefs for a long time, and Chinese fishermen have stopped fishing in unsafe water areas.