China, Asean to resume talks on South China Sea code of conduct

Last updated on May 18th, 2021 at 05:55 am

With the region taking a harder stance on the South China Sea dispute, China has finally agreed to resume negotiaion with Asean on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (COC).

China and Asean reaffirms commitment to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), paving the way for an effective Code of Conduct.

The economic powerhouse, however, did not set a timeline for when the talks will resume. The last meeting were held in Vietnam last October 2019. The two parties committed to prepare for the second reading of the draft.

China and Asean on Wednesday, agreed to promote dialogue to ensure peaceful, stabilized and secure environment in the region and its disputed territories.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung said the regional bloc will continuosly work closely with China to create a COC in accordance with international law, which includes the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China, the bloc’s largest trading partner will play an important role in the stability and peace of the region. According to Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Chen Xiaodong, The Asean has done an phenomenal job responding to the Covid-19 pademic. The trade with the region grew steadily at 4.2% in the several months of the year.

RELATED ARTICLE: https://www.theasianaffairs.com/asean-news/2020/06/29/follow-unclos-in-south-china-sea-dispute-says-asean/