Agreement Reached on COC Framework

SENIOR OFFICIALSfrom China and ASEAN countries agreed on a framework for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea during the 14th senior officials' meeting on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in Guiyang, China on May 18.

The meeting, co-chaired by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Singapore's Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chee Wee Kiong, was held ahead of the upcoming China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in July.

The approval of the framework was reached earlier than scheduled, Liu told the press after the meeting, adding that according to the work plan, China and ASEAN countries were expected to finish consultation on the draft framework for the COC by the first half of this year.

During the meeting, all parties have vowed to continue to constructively advance the negotiations toward the early conclusion of the COC. They also agreed to continue to implement the DOC and reaffirmed plans to solve disputes via negotiation, manage differences with a regional framework of regulations, deepen maritime cooperation and move forward COC negotiation to safeguard peace and stability of the region.

Prior to the meeting, the 21st Joint Working Group meeting on the Implementation of the DOC was held.