MANILA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- In November, China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) issued a joint statement on the South China Sea during a China-ASEAN summit in Cambodia.
In keeping with the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) that has been in place for 20 years, the joint statement has shown their readiness to advance consultations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the sea and confidence in reaching consensus on the COC at an early date.
A Philippine expert has told Xinhua that the COC will play a critical role in resolving the South China Sea issue.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
