Delegates from ASEAN member countries, China, Australia and Canada gathered at a regional conference on ASEAN and the East Sea, which opened on September 19 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
In his speech, ASEAN General Secretary Le Luong Minh highlighted the importance of two mechanisms in the ASEAN-China framework, including the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
He affirmed the group’s determination in the relationship with China to strengthen peace and stability in the East Sea, adding that COC needs to become a comprehensive and legally-binding tool to supervise activities in the East Sea to prevent and solve incidents in a timely manner.
Secretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Kao Kim Hourn suggested the ASEAN and China consider the possibility of further cooperation in defence, regularly hold consultations on COC till the document is approved, and work closely with each other in the spirit of their strategic partnership in order to overcome any challenge related to the East Sea.
Held by the Cambodian Institute of Cooperation and Peace, the conference will conclude on September 20.
Source: VNA
Đăng ký: VietNam News
