China, ASEAN agree on draft text of South China Sea COC

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03:58

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have arrived at a single draft negotiating text of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday, hailing it "another major breakthrough" in COC negotiations.

Wang made the remarks at the China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Singapore. He said the progress is proof that China and ASEAN countries are capable of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and agreeing on regional rules followed by all parties through negotiations.

China and several ASEAN countries have overlapping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea. Both sides hope to reach a COC in the region to avoid conflicts and promote peace.

Foreign ministers of China and ASEAN countries approved the framework of the COC in Philippine capital Manila a year ago. At the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting last November, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China and ASEAN would start consultations on the text of the COC.

The draft text will be the basis of future COC negotiations. Wang believes that COC negotiations can accelerate if external interference is excluded.

China is ready to provide maritime rescue services to ships of ASEAN countries, he said, adding that Beijing will also provide international public services such as research and meteorological services to countries in the region in the future.

A Chinese H-6K bomber patrolling islands and reefs, including Huangyan Dao, in the South China Sea. /Xinhua Photo

Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan also said the working text of the COC will serve as a basis for future negotiations, and called it "another milestone" for ASEAN in talks with China over the COC.

Foreign ministers of ASEAN member states "warmly welcomed the continued improving cooperation between ASEAN and China and were encouraged by the progress of the substantive negotiations towards the early conclusion of an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) on a mutually-agreed timeline," according to a joint communique released after the 51st ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting.

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