Beijing: China sincere in wanting to finish COC consultations

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The situation in the South China Sea has stabilized for the better under the joint efforts of China and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Friday at a regular press briefing.

Hua made the remarks while addressing a question related to Premier Li Keqiang's statement on striving to finish consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in three years at the just concluded 21st China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting in Singapore.

Hua confirmed that China and ASEAN countries are currently implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and actively pushing forward on pragmatic maritime cooperation.

There has been significant consensus and progress gained on the COC consultations, Hua added.

She noted that at the China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting in Singapore, leaders of all 11 nations agreed to finish the first round of review of the single negotiating text for the COC within 2019.

The proposal by Premier Li to finish the COC consultations within three years shows the sincerity, resolve and confidence from the Chinese side to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea together with ASEAN member states, Hua emphasized.

Hua also said that China is willing to work with relevant parties to implement consensus among leaders concerned, work out a regional rule that complies with the reality and demands of regional countries, and keep peace and stability in the South China Sea.

(Top image: An aerial photo of an island in the South China Sea /Xinhua Photo)