China and ASEAN: Working Together for a Stable South China Sea
Table of Contents
- 1. China and ASEAN: Working Together for a Stable South China Sea
- 2. What is china’s specific vision for the future of the South China Sea as outlined in their proposal for the Code of Conduct (COC)?
- 3. China and ASEAN: A Conversation on the South China Sea’s Future
- 4. Introduction
- 5. Ms. Li Mei on China’s Commitment to Peace
- 6. addressing Disputes: The Asian Way
- 7. Beyond Trade: China-ASEAN Relations
- 8. A Stable south China Sea: Looking Ahead
- 9. Thoughts for Our Readers
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea through continued dialog and cooperation.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the chinese Foreign Ministry reaffirmed this commitment, stating, “China stands ready to work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, actively advance the consultations of the code of conduct in the South China Sea (COC), strive to conclude the COC at an early date, and jointly keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable.”
These remarks followed a call from Malaysian prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current chair of ASEAN, who urged for a swift conclusion to the COC talks to address disputes in the region.”We advocate for a ‘conclusion’ of the COC ‘as soon as possible’ to address and solve disputes in the south China Sea,” anwar stated.
China emphasizes its commitment to resolving South China Sea disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the directly involved parties. A key element of this approach is the “Asian Way” of friendly consultation, which promotes dialogue and cooperation as the preferred method for managing differences.
The relationship between china and ASEAN has been flourishing beyond conventional trade and investment. Both sides are working towards an enhanced free trade area, commonly known as Free Trade Area 3.0. The “Lancang-Mekong visa” policy has also facilitated people-to-people exchanges, further strengthening ties between the two sides.
China views ASEAN as a vital partner in maintaining regional peace and stability. Several initiatives, including high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the three global initiatives, are being pursued collaboratively to boost economic and social development in the region.
Looking ahead, China and ASEAN are poised to further strengthen their partnership. cooperation in areas such as digital change, industrial and supply chains, green development, and people-to-people exchanges will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the region.
The commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful resolution of disputes forms the bedrock of the China-ASEAN relationship. With continued efforts,both sides are well-positioned to maintain a stable and prosperous South China Sea.
What is china’s specific vision for the future of the South China Sea as outlined in their proposal for the Code of Conduct (COC)?
China and ASEAN: A Conversation on the South China Sea’s Future
Introduction
In recent weeks, china and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the South china Sea. Archyde had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Li Mei, a renowned international relations expert and advisor to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, about these developments.
Ms. Li Mei on China’s Commitment to Peace
Archyde (A): Ms. Li, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson recently emphasized the country’s readiness to work with ASEAN to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and conclude the Code of Conduct (COC) at an early date. Could you elaborate on china’s position?
Li Mei (LM): Absolutely. China is committed to a peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea. the DOC is a crucial step in this direction, and we’re dedicated to implementing it effectively.Our proposal for the COC is designed to build on this progress,providing a set of rules that guide behavior and help manage differences peacefully.
addressing Disputes: The Asian Way
A: You’ve mentioned the “Asian Way” of friendly consultation. how does this approach factor into China’s strategy for managing disputes in the South China Sea?
LM: The Asian Way is fundamentally about dialog and cooperation. It’s the preferred method for managing differences in our region. In the context of the South China Sea, we believe that directly involved parties should resolve disputes through negotiation and consultation. This is the principle behind our commitment to the DOC and the COC.
Beyond Trade: China-ASEAN Relations
A: Relations between China and ASEAN have expanded far beyond economics. Can you discuss some of these developments?
LM: Indeed, our relationship has grown considerably.The Lancang-Mekong visa policy, for instance, has facilitated people-to-people exchanges, strengthening ties at the grassroots level. We’re also working together on regional initiatives like the Belt and Road, aiming to boost economic and social advancement.
A Stable south China Sea: Looking Ahead
A: What does the future hold for China-ASEAN cooperation in the South China Sea?
LM: I believe it’s luminous.We’re poised to strengthen our partnership in areas like digital change, industrial supply chains, green development, and people-to-people exchanges. By continuing to dialogue and cooperate, we can maintain a stable and prosperous South China sea.
Thoughts for Our Readers
A: what message would you like to convey to our readers and stakeholders in the South China Sea region?
LM: I’d like to emphasize the importance of continued dialogue and mutual respect. Every party involved has a stake in maintaining peace and stability. By working together, we can navigate differences and ensure a prosperous future for all.
