China, ASEAN to have South China Sea talks

BEIJING - China is willing to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote a code of conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday.

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea

Hua's comment came ahead of the 11th joint working group meeting between China and ASEAN on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct (DoC) of Parties in the South China Sea. The meeting will be held from next Tuesday to Wednesday in Bali, Indonesia.

"China is ready to work with the ASEAN for comprehensive and effective implementation of the declaration and steadily push forward consultations on a CoC," Hua said.

Maritime cooperation on navigation security and joint search and rescue will be discussed during the meeting, Hua said.

She called for favorable conditions for the implementation of the DoC and formulation of a CoC to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China and ASEAN officials met in March in Singapore for the 10th joint working group meeting on the implementation of the DoC.