Guidelines agreed with ASEAN on sea disputes

'Milestone document' to help maintain peace and stability

BEIJING - China and Southeast Asian nations agreed on Wednesday on a "milestone document", a preliminary set of guidelines to resolve disputes in the South China Sea, and vowed to cooperate in marine environmental protection and safety of navigation.

A consensus was reached at a meeting between senior officials from China and the 10 ASEAN member states on implementing the 2002 Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea (DOC).