Participants to the sixth ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting in Suzhou city, Jiangsu province on September 15th, 2013 (Photo: Quang Duc/VNA)

(VOVworld) – The 2-day regional seminar on ASEAN and the East Sea concluded in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Saturday. Scholars and experts from ASEAN, China, and other regional countries exchanged views on the importance of maintaining peace and long-term stability in the East Sea through increased discussions towards finalizing a Code of Conduct between ASEAN and China.

Participants discussed achievements and shortcomings of ASEAN cooperation and the cooperation between ASEAN and China on East Sea issues. They sought solutions so that ASEAN members and China can continue cooperation to jointly resolve East Sea issues and build the COC. Delegates agreed that disputes over sovereignty in the East Sea are challenging the ASEAN-China strategic partnership,  threatening regional stability and peace. But these challenges have become a drive for ASEAN and China to realize the significance of further enhancing cooperative achievements over the past years.

Participants praised the Vietnamese delegation's presentation which focused on the need to settle East Sea issues through peaceful means to build mutual trust and advance partnership between ASEAN and China.