ASEAN-China made new progress in COC negotiation in the East Sea
WVR - ASEAN and China agreed to accelerate the negotiations of COC in the East Sea, as to strive to reach an early conclusion of an effective and substantive document, in accordance with international law.
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| Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning informed on outcomes of the Senior Official Meeting in implementing DOC in the East Sea. (Source: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
On October 27th, according to the South China Morning Post, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China have agreed to start on the third reading of the Single Draft of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) Negotiating Text.
Previously, during a regular press conference on October 26th, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said that the 21st Senior Official Meeting on implementing the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) was held in Beijing, (China), on the same day. According to her, at the meeting, China and ASEAN member states had an “in-depth exchange of views” on the situation in the East Sea, the issues of implementing fully and effectively DOC, substantive maritime cooperation and negotiations of COC.
She said: “Parties were of the view that upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea is of vital importance and called on all sides to exercise restraint, strengthen exchanges, and handle differences appropriately, so as to safeguard maritime stability”.
At the meeting, aside from agreeing to continue fully and effectively implement DOC, China and ASEAN countries also officially announced that they will start on the third reading of the Single Draft COC Negotiating Text. They agreed to accelerate negotiations so as to strive to reach an early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC, in accordance with international law, as well as building the East Sea into an area of peace, friendship and maritime cooperation.
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| 26th ASEAN-China Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 6, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Anh Son) |
In July, at the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Indonesia, both sides had announced the completion of the second reading of the Single Draft COC Negotiating Text.
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| ASEAN-China made new progress in COC negotiation in the East Sea: ASEAN and China agreed on Guidelines to accelerate negotiations for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea during the meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Wang Yi, in Jakarta, on July 13, 2023. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia) |
Recently, ASEAN members and China also agreed on the Guidelines for Accelerating the Early Conclusion of an Effective and Substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, initiated from Indonesia, ASEAN Chair 2023. Indonesia’s guideline to accelerate the COC negotiations included practical documents, ensuring the feasibility, substance and effectiveness of the COC.
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