Wang Yi affirms ASEAN ties in meeting with Brunei minister

The China-ASEAN relationship will not be easily affected and is impossible to be sabotaged by external disruptions, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday. 

Wang made the remark in Beijing when co-chairing the first meeting of the China-Brunei Intergovernmental Joint Steering Committee with Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof of Brunei.

China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries have established profound friendships and solid mutual trust, Wang said, reiterating that China will continue to pursue a good-neighborly and friendly policy toward ASEAN.

Speaking of the South China Sea issue, Wang said China will adhere to properly handling disputes through friendly negotiations with parties which are directly involved.

China will continue to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea with ASEAN countries and firmly safeguard international laws including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as basic norms governing international relations, he said.

According to Wang, China will work with ASEAN countries to continue to comprehensively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and advance the consultations on a Code of Conduct.

The formulation of regional rules that all parties abide by will further stabilize the situation in the South China Sea, better manage existing disputes, and contribute to long-term peace and order there, Wang said.

Brunei's minister reiterated his country's support for the one-China policy and said Brunei stands ready to work with the Chinese side in advancing the consultations and jointly safeguarding the region's peace and stability.