China and Southeast Asian countries have agreed on a set of guidelines to expedite the negotiation of a code of conduct (COC) in the disputed South China Sea. The guidelines were adopted during a meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers and China’s top diplomat Wang Yi in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Retno Marsudi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, commended this development as an important milestone and an achievement that should continue to build positive momentum. She said that she wanted China to be a loyal partner of ASEAN in maintaining an open and inclusive regional architecture.
ASEAN countries and China have been trying for years to formulate a legally binding COC to govern the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest waterways, which is also the site of overlapping claims by China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam. The parties disputed over a number of issues, such as military actions and fishing activities.
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Wang told the foreign minister that China actively participates and resolutely supports the regional cooperation framework with ASEAN and adheres to the concept of inclusiveness, continues development, and refuses to interfere.
Wang explained that China and ASEAN are in active discussions on the third version of the free trade agreement and have been pushing for full implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a trade deal involving 14 Asia-Pacific countries. He also added that China and ASEAN have been actively promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, and are successfully walking the right track for common prosperity and development.
In the midst of the current complex and rapidly changing geopolitical situation, Wang underlined the importance of creating a strategic environment that is conducive to promoting mutual development and long-term stability.
Source: The Straits Time
