Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds a press conference at the Beijing Media Center on Friday (March 8, 2019). (PNA photo by Kris Crismundo)
BEIJING -- China offered to conclude negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea by 2021.
In a press conference here Friday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said more member states of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) support their proposal to conclude the COC negotiations in three years.
“The COC negotiation is gathering pace under a clear roadmap. China offers the goal of concluding the negotiations in three years, in other words by 2021,” Wang said.
“It shows that China’s seriousness and commitment to this endeavor. And more and more ASEAN members agree with and support China’s proposal to speed up the negotiations,” he added.
While he did not disclose details of the COC as talks are still underway, Wang noted that it will be an upgrade of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea or the DOC.
“It will be more suited to our region’s need, more effective in regulating the conduct of the parties provide stronger safeguards for safety and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and neighboring China and ASEAN members to build trust, manage disagreements, strengthen cooperation, and maintain stability,” Wang said.
The State Councilor noted that China and ASEAN should stay focus on the COC discussions and “shield the negotiations from interference”.
He added that peace and stability of the region is in the hands of involved countries in the South China Sea issue, and the COC should be developed and honored by these nations.
“The South China Sea situation has stabilized and improved in the recent years. This positive turn of events proves that the due track approach is a right way forward,” Wang said.
“The South China Sea situation concerns regional stability,” Wang stressed. “We must live up to this responsibility.”
During the Philippine hosting of ASEAN Summit in 2017, the 10-member state ASEAN and China approved the framework of agreement for a COC in the South China Sea. This prompted the start of the negotiations for the COC. (PNA)
