The South China Sea disputes, after so much fanfare, seem to be heading toward the right direction of peaceful settlement through bilateral negotiations.

The latest development appears encouraging, with US Secretary of State John Kerry saying, during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday, that Washington "is not taking sides on the substance of maritime disputes" and supports Beijing and Manila resuming talks.

Indeed, it is time for parties concerned to move away from the tensions and "turn the page", as Kerry reportedly said.