SINGAPORE, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China and ASEAN countries have the will, ability and means to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said here on Thursday.
Liu made the remarks at a press conference of the 22nd China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation, an important annual meeting for diplomats from China and 10 ASEAN nations.
Liu and senior diplomats from ASEAN countries exchanged in-depth views on implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), promote cooperation and enhance consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) under the framework of the DOC.
China and ASEAN countries' common interests have far outweighed the differences no matter on regional cooperation or on South China Sea, the vice foreign minister said.
He noted as the current situation of the South China Sea has drawn lots of attention, he and his ASEAN counterparts have exchange views on how to control differences, strengthen maritime pragmatic cooperation as well as enhance consultation on COC.
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