China, ASEAN agree to cooperate in maintaining peace, stability in East Sea

Illustrative image (Photo: The Jakarta Post)

Hanoi (VNA) - China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to carry out practical marine cooperation projects and jointly uphold peace and stability in the East Sea, Xinhua News Agency reported, citing Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin as saying on March 14.

Wang made the remark after the 38th ASEAN-China Joint Working Group meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), which was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from March 8-10.

Wang stated that during the meeting, China and ASEAN countries also continued to advance the consultation on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) and exchanged views on the implementation of the DOC and maritime cooperation.

They agreed to carry out multiple practical cooperation projects in marine scientific research, environmental protection and search and rescue operation at sea, step up dialogue and communication, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly uphold peace and stability in the East Sea, he said.

The parties also reached agreement on the working plan for this year and agreed to hold multiple rounds of the Senior Officials' Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC and Joint Working Group meeting of the DOC within this year and bring about greater progress in the COC consultation, he added./.

VNA