China and ASEAN countries have witnessed“smooth progress” over consultation on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea during a recent joint meeting, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on March 1.

China and ASEAN countries held the 27th joint working group meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea from February 27 to 28 in Naypyitaw, capital of Myanmar, the spokesperson told a routine press briefing.

“It was the first meeting this year on implementing the DOC mechanism,” Lu said,noting that China and ASEAN countries have held in-depth and candid exchange of views over issues such as implementation of the declaration as well as promoting consultation on a COC in the South China Sea.

“During the meeting, with momentum from dialogue and cooperation, China and ASEAN countries continued examination and reading of the COC text in an efficient and orderly manner, building consensus consistently,” Lu said.

“We have seen overall smooth progress so far on consultation of the COC text,” he added.