Wang: South China Sea stability serves regional countries' common interests

Maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea serves the common interests of countries in the region, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday when meeting with Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in Beijing.

China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and advance consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, Wang said.

He called for joint efforts to foster a new narrative of peace, stability, cooperation and friendship in the South China Sea.

Kao said the South China Sea issue should not become an obstacle to ASEAN-China relations, adding that ASEAN is willing to work with China to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and the 35th anniversary of dialogue relations between the two sides.

Wang said China-ASEAN relations face new development opportunities.

China attaches great importance to ASEAN and regards it as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, he said, noting the continuity and stability of China's neighborhood diplomacy.

China will continue to support ASEAN's solidarity and community building, as well as its central role in the regional architecture, Wang said.

He added that China stands ready to work with ASEAN to build an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Kao said ASEAN stands ready to share opportunities and meet challenges together with China, and to continue deepening and expanding practical cooperation across various fields to bring ASEAN-China relations to new heights.