VIENTIANE, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Thursday called on Australia to support China's efforts to expand consensus and resolve differences with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the South China Sea issue.
Li made the remarks while meeting with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull on the sidelines of the East Asia leaders' meetings in the Laotian capital of Vientiane.
Noting that the situation in the South China Sea is moving in a positive direction, Li said that the accomplishments China has achieved with ASEAN nations at Wednesday's meeting are conducive to managing their differences and maintaining peace and stability of the region.
The premier voiced hope that that Australia can play a constructive role in promoting regional unity, cooperation, peace and stability so as to turn the South China Sea into a sea of peace and cooperation.
Turnbull said Australia welcomes the progress China and ASEAN have made in their dialogue and consultations on the South China Sea issue.
Australia is not a claimant to the South China Sea disputes, and will not take sides on related issues, he said.
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