China agrees to finalise South China Sea CoC with ASEAN this year

Jakarta (ANTARA) - China’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Wang Qing, has emphasised that China possesses a solid political will to finalise the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea in line with its target this year.

According to Ambassador Wang, this commitment was previously affirmed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi following China’s annual political sessions known as the “Two Sessions” some time ago.

“He has affirmed that China has the political will to complete the negotiations and consultations with ASEAN regarding the CoC,” said Ambassador Wang during a meeting and dialogue with media and think tanks in Jakarta on Thursday.

He stated that the South China Sea CoC will serve as a foundation for resolving maritime disputes between countries and “creating a new narrative about the South China Sea”.

This is because, he said, the South China Sea has often been associated with areas of confrontation and disputes so far.

“Now we want to work together with ASEAN countries to make the South China Sea a sea of peace and cooperation,” said the Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, while emphasising the strategic position of that sea region for global commodity shipping.

Although acknowledging that there are sticking points that make negotiations not easy, Ambassador Wang believes that as long as joint efforts continue, the South China Sea CoC can be completed.

“China is committed to working together with ASEAN and seeking a peaceful approach to resolving our differences,” said the Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN.

“After we successfully complete the CoC, I am confident that ASEAN-China relations will become even better,” he added.

Meanwhile, during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in retreat format (AMM Retreat) at the end of January this year, the foreign ministers agreed on a joint commitment to complete the CoC this year.

The ASEAN foreign ministers also welcomed the progress achieved in the ongoing negotiations on the CoC for the South China Sea, which is disputed by several countries, including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.