ASEAN and China Consent on Trade Negotiations in South China Sea

On July 13, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China agreed on guidelines to expedite the negotiation of the South China Sea code of conduct.

The guidelines were agreed upon during a meeting between China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, and ASEAN's foreign ministers in Jakarta, where the group has held its annual foreign ministers and related meetings for the past decade.

The current rotating chair of ASEAN is Indonesia.

"This achievement must continue to build positive momentum to strengthen partnerships that advance a paradigm of inclusivity and openness, respecting international law, including UNCLOS 1982, and encouraging the habits of holding dialogues and collaboration," said Retno Marsudi, Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which China has ratified.

Mdm Marsudi expressed her hope that China would be a reliable partner in fostering a "open and inclusive regional architecture."

"Only then can we achieve win-win cooperation for the sake of creation, peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," she continued.

The guidelines' specifics, however, were not revealed.