The 25th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea convenes in Cebu, the Philippines. Photo: Pham Ha/VOV-Jakarta

The Deputy Minister called on countries’ every effort to ensure the full and effective implementation of the provisions and commitments in the DOC, thereby contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, known internationally as South China Sea, and the region in general, and creating a favorable environment for negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Sea serves the common interests of all countries, the Vietnamese diplomat said, urging all parties to abide by international law and resolve disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Regarding the COC, the Deputy Minister reiterated Vietnam's commitment to continue actively participating in and contributing responsibly and in good faith with other countries to accelerate the negotiation process to achieve an effective and substantive COC that is consistent with international law.

At the meeting, ASEAN and China pledged to build the East Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation, and prosperity. They agreed to continue efforts to ensure the full and effective implementation of all provisions of the DOC and create a favorable environment for COC negotiations. The meeting stressed the need to speed up the negotiation process to soon achieve an effective and substantive Code of Conduct consistent with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.