China, ASEAN vow to build S. China Sea into sea of peace

DOC hailed at workshop as landmark document in maintaining regional stability over past 20 yrs

Officials from China and ASEAN countries hailed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea ( DOC) as an important landmark document that has played a huge role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea over the past 20 years at the symposium commemorating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the DOC held in Beijing on Monday.

They agreed that China and ASEAN members should focus on cooperation, and look forward to the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea ( COC).

The workshop was jointly organized by the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies ( CIBOS) with the Wuhan University, as well as the National Institute for South China Sea Studies ( NISCSS).

In his opening speech commemorating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the DOC via video link, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on countries in the region to maintain their position in solving the South China Sea issue.

Wang slammed some major countries for continuously increasing their involvement in the South China Sea region to maintain their hegemony, deliberately escalating tensions and provoking confrontations, and jeopardizing the legitimate rights and interests of littoral states and normal maritime order, calling on China and ASEAN members to make their attitude clear: If you come for peace and cooperation, we welcome you. If you come here to make trouble or cause damage, please leave!

Wang stressed that China and ASEAN should uphold the bottom line for peace. The South China Sea is not a “hunting park” for countries outside the region, still less should it become an “arena” for the game between major powers.

Hor Namhong, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister, said in a video speech that this is a historic document on the South China Sea. Since its signing in 2002, it has promoted peace and cooperation between the parties directly concerned in the South China Sea.

Saifuddin Abdullah, Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said every ASEAN and China showed foresight and realized that stability in the South China Sea serves the common interests of all parties. He stressed the importance of implementing the DOC, saying it made great contributions to the COC.

South China Sea is not a “hunting park” for countries outside the region, still less should it become an “arena” for the game between major powers.