According to the Japanese news agency Kyodo on Thursday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa says Beijing wanted to open negotiations with ASEAN to draft a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) to resolve territory disputes between China and certain ASEAN countries. At the meeting in Indonesia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi suggested forming a group of experts for joint government-level COC negotiations. He said China is ready to discuss building a COC ASEAN can agree to. In response to reporters’ questions about Beijing’s stance on the East Sea issues, Wang Yi said China wants peace and stability and pledges to resolve territory disputes peacefully.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo: news.cn/vov