China and South Korea held a key meeting seeking to resolve boundary issues in the Yellow Sea. Ties between Beijing and Seoul have been steadily improving in recent years, and both sides are optimistic that progress will be made. Some are even saying that these talks could prove to be a blueprint for dealing with similar disputes across the region.
Drawing a line under boundary disputes. As ministers meet in Seoul to resolve ongoing issues in the Yellow sea, there's an awareness of the need to move past their differences.
"China and South Korea have overlapping exclusive economic zones and continental shelves, so we need to solve the problem by demarcation," China's vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin said.
China and South Korea disagree over the exact demarcation of their maritime boundaries. South Korea wants the maritime border to be drawn at the halfway point between the two nations. While China insists it should be at a distance proportionate to the length of their respective coastlines.
Another key issue is the ownership of the Suyan Rock, a submerged rock that lies in what both sides claim is their exclusive economic zone.
Director level discussions have been ongoing since 1996. And in July 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye agreed to launch negotiations at a higher level.
If successful, the dialogue could have major significance for both the China-South Korea relationship, and even the region as a whole.
"To solve the maritime demarcation issue through negotiations is of great importance in maintaining China-South Korea maritime stability and cementing cooperation," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
Both sides believe that a postive outcome could set an example for resolving similar disputes elsewhere.
"If both countries are engaged in negotiation based on a shared understanding, mutual trust and the spirit of security cooperation, I am sure that we can definitely reach a fair settlement of the dispute as well as make a good example showing that both countries take specific actions to respect the international law," South Korean Second vice minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-Yul said.
For now, the talks continue, as Beijing and Seoul seek to move past old disputes, and perhaps prove a point about the power of diplomacy.
