Abstract:

In 1970s，Deng Xiaoping put forward the thought of“shelving disputes”，which is not only the objective requirement
of the development of international political environment，but also a historical inevitability restrained by China’s national
power. Since then，the contemporary generations of leaders in China has been held on to the thought of“shelving dispute”，
which，to a certain extent，has mitigated and eased maritime rights disputes between China and its neighbors，creating a good
opportunity for“peace and development”for China. The eighteenth National Congress of the CPC proposed the strategy
of“maritime power”，raising new tasks and requirements for the future development of China’s maritime rights. China’s
maritime right development under the guidance of the thought of“shelving disputes”is faced with opportunities as well as
challenges.“Huangyan Island”mode，“Diaoyu Island”mode，“joint development”mode and“self-development”mode are
inheritance to and development of the idea of“shelving disputes”，and a choice that is and will be made for the development of
China’s maritime right strategy. Adhering to and developing the concept of“shelving disputes”is of great strategic significance
to China’s maritime rights.

Key words: shelving disputes；joint development；maritime rights；maritime power；“Huangyan Island”mode, “Diaoyu
Island”mode