Before the unification of China during the Qin Dynasty, there had already been exchanges and contacts between China and Japan through the ancient Maritime Silk Road, leading to increasingly close and frequent connections between the two nations. Maritime exchanges between China and Japan began as early as the Qin Dynasty, with the establishment of the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty. During this period, Sino-Japanese interactions were characterized by their occasional nature. In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, these interactions entered a developmental stage marked by noticeable diversity. By the Song and Yuan Dynasties, Sino-Japanese relations gradually reached their zenith, with a heightened political significance. However, these interactions began to decline during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with a stronger emphasis on bilateral exchanges. The historical and contemporary relevance of Sino-Japanese interactions within the framework of the ancient Maritime Silk Road has played a crucial role in promoting trade, cultural integration, and national development between China and Japan, providing a solid historical foundation for contemporary efforts to enhance exchanges and cooperation in the Northeast Asia region.

Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is a new initiative for international cooperation. It will have a positive impact on the peaceful use of the South China Sea by encouraging a Code of Conduct to Parties in the South China Sea between China and ASEAN members; realizing a breakthrough of jointly developing oil and gas resources in the area; promoting comprehensive cooperation in maritime non-traditional security field; and providing a peaceful external environment for the South China Sea dispute settlement. The South China Sea dispute is a negative challenge to building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. However, the pace building should not be stopped because of it. In the future, the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will be on the international consensus as an international legal regime. Also, it will improve the domestic legal system regarding building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road for China as well as the countries along the Belt and Road, especially the ASEAN members.