Code of conduct framework taking shape

China confirmed on Wednesday that it will finish a framework with Southeast Asian nations by the middle of the year for a code of conduct on the South China Sea.

“Negotiation on the code of conduct has entered a very important phase,” Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said during a news conference to issue a white paper on China’s policies on Asia-Pacific security cooperation.

“We will continue to focus on the job in the coming few months and do our best to finish a draft of the framework of the code of conduct,” Liu said, joking that the work will not be dragged out until the last minute in June but will be done “as early as possible”.

He also said this is progress in just one phase of negotiation on the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, adding that the heavier work will come after the draft is completed.

In Manila, the Philippines’ foreign minister also said on Wednesday that the code of conduct framework will be completed by the middle of the year.

“Even as we speak, we continue to have discussions with our high officials, below ministerial level,” Foreign Secretary PerfectoPerfecto Yasay Yasay told told a a news news conference,conference, according accordingto Reuters.to Reuters. “And “Andthis is this preciselyis precisely why we whyare hopeful.”we are hopeful.”

ChinaChina and and Association Association of of Southeast Southeast Asian Asian Nations Nations membersmembers started started work work on theon the code codeof conductof conductin 2003.in 2003. Yasay Yasaysaid Chinasaid Chinahad been had been “very “very cooperative” cooperative”in the process.in the process.Yasay also said his country won’t Yasay raise also last said year’shis country international won’t arbitrationraise last year’s ruling on international the South China Sea during ASEANarbitration ruling on summitthe Southtalks that China ManilaSea during will host ASEANthis year. He summitsaid pressingtalks thatthe ruling Manilaat themeetingwill host wouldthis Inside year. He said pressing the ruling at the meeting would be Document “simply> p9-11 counterproductive for our purposes”.

Beijing rejected the ruling in be the “simply arbitration counterproductivecase, which wasfor our unilaterallypurposes”. brought by the Beijing Philippines, rejected and the said ruling the tribunal’sin the arbitration ruling case, cannot which be the was basis unilaterallyof any discussions.brought by the Chen Philippines, Qinghong,and said the a researchertribunal’s ruling of cannot Philippinebe the studiesbasis of anyat discussions.the China Institutes Chen of Qinghong, Contemporarya researcher Internationalof Philippine studies Relations,at the said China recent Institutes progressof Contemporaryon the South InternationalChina Sea issue Relations,can be said largely recent attributed progressto the on shiftthe Southof Manila’s China stance.Sea issue can be largely Philippine attributed Presidentto the shift ofManila’sRodrigo Dutertestance. has taken steps Philippineto mend President relations Rodrigo with China Duterte since has taking taken office steps to in mendJune. relations with China since “So takingfar, we office judge in June.that China’s “So doublefar, we judge channel thatChina’s strategy double-channelis effective,” he said, strategy referringis effective,”to Beijing’s he stancesaid, referringthat Southto Beijing’sChina Sea stance disputesthat SouthChina should be negotiatedSea disputes by should countriesbe negotiateddirectly involved,by countries while directly China involved,and ASEAN while should China workand ASEAN together shouldto maintainwork together peace to in maintainthe sea. peace in the sea.

ZOU HONG / CHINA DAILY Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin answers reporters’ questions in Beijing on Wednesday at a news conference on the State Council Information Office’s publication of a white paper on China’s Asia-Pacific security cooperation.