(VOVworld)- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Saturday released a Statement expressing its concerns about the ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting’s Statement on the East Sea. A VOV correspondent in Beijing quoted the statement posted on the official website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry few hours after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers adopted a Statement on the East Sea. The spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hua Chun Ying expressed her concerns saying that the East Sea is not an issue between China and ASEAN and that some countries abused the East Sea issue to split the friendship and cooperation between China and ASEAN. However, Ms Hua Chun Ying said China wanted to cooperate with ASEAN countries to comprehensively and effectively implement the DOC.

Spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hua Chun Ying

Foreign ministers of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on May 10 voiced their concern over the escalating tension in the East Sea, and called on the parties concerned to exercise self-restraint. In a statement, the ministers also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region as well as the bloc’s six-point principles on the East Sea. This is the first time in 20 years since 1995 ASEAN released a separate statement on the complicated situation threatening peace, maritime security and safety in the East Sea. The statement shows ASEAN’s solidarity, high consensus and responsibility for peace, stability and security in the East Sea.