(VOVworld) – ASEAN and China have reiterated their determination to resolve East Sea disputes through dialogues and foster a rules-based regional framework at their 13th Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) in Manzhouli, north of China.

Foreign ministers of ASEAN and China at a meeting in Vientiane, Laos, in July (Photo: VNA)

The parties also agreed on the full and effective implementation of the DOC, deepening practical maritime cooperation, and advancing negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea to ensure regional peace and security.

The meeting stressed the importance of the hotline among senior diplomats of ASEAN member states and China in response to maritime emergencies at sea and a joint statement on the application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at sea in the East Sea. They discussed ways to strengthen maritime cooperation and negotiations on COC.