Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi applauded the holding of the first meeting of the China-Brunei Intergovernmental Joint Steering Committee, reiterating China's support for the peaceful settlement of the South China Sea issue through friendly consultation.
Wang made the remarks when meeting with Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Dato Seri Paduka Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof of Brunei in Beijing on Tuesday.
As Wang pointed out, the intergovernmental meeting is an important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries that is believed beneficial for advancing bilateral cooperation in various fields, enhancing political mutual trust as well as people-to-people exchanges.
The two sides will extend mutual beneficial cooperation in ten areas including economy, business, marine and energy, Wang noted.
Meanwhile, Wang also reiterated China's consistent stance on the South China Sea issue, stressing that China support the peaceful settlement of the issue through friendly consultation with ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.
China is ready to advance the conclusion of the consultations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea as scheduled so as to effectively manage disputes and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, Wang said.
He hailed China's good-neighborly friendship with ASEAN countries, saying that its policy towards ASEAN will remain unchanged regardless of external interference.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi talks with Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Dato Seri Paduka Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof of Brunei in Beijing, January 21, 2020. /Photo via Chinese Foreign Ministry
Dato Seri Paduka Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof said that Brunei-China relations are a model of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win results.
He echoed Wang's words by expressed Brunei's willingness for broader cooperation and communication with China in various aspects including the South China Sea issue.
Consultations for the COC, first launched by China and ASEAN countries in 2013, aimed at safeguarding peace and stability in the region.
China proposed a three-year timeline which outlines the road map of properly handling differences and reaching consensus through consultation. Given the timeline, the consultation is expected to be completed by 2020.
(Cover: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Dato Seri Paduka Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof of Brunei in Beijing, January 21, 2020. /Photo via Chinese Foreign Ministry)