Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao Tuesday called on relevant countries to reach consensus at an early date so as to finalize consultation on the Code of Conduct in South China Sea.
The third consultation of the working group meeting on the Code was held in Hanoi of Vietnam on October 11. Senior officials with foreign ministries of China and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) attended the consultation to further exchange views on the consultative draft formulated during the previous consultation.
In response to a question on the issue at the regular press conference, Zhu said China and ASEAN member states have enhanced understanding and expanded consensus on the "majority of issues" after rounds of consultation.
Zhu said China has demonstrated "maximum sincerity and flexibility" in the South China Sea issue and has put forward a series of constructive opinions concerning the content of the Code.
He said the major barrier at the moment to the finalization of the Code is that certain ASEAN members still hold different views on the "scope of the Code".
China hopes that relevant parties reach consensus on the scope of the Code "in the spirit of seeking common ground while leaving differences aside" so as to conclude the consultation as soon as possible for the long-term peace and stability in the South China Sea Area, Zhu said.
(Xinhua 10/18/2000)
