Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung attends the 19th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on DOC implementation held in China’s Chongqing city, June 7, 2021.

Deputy Minister Dung was speaking at the 19th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on DOC implementation held in China’s Chongqing city on Monday as part of the special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Mr. Dung said that although the maintenance of peace, stability and security in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) is a shared interest of ASEAN and China, there are still unilateral actions taking place that violate the legitimate rights of coastal states, escalating tensions, eroding trust, and going against the joint efforts of both sides.

He asked all parties to create a favorable environment for negotiations and the building of a substantial and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) suitable with international law and UNCLOS.

Participants expressed concern over complicated developments in the East Sea recently, including unilateral moves that go against international law, erode trust, escalate tensions, and harm the cooperation process in implementing the DOC and negotiations for the COC.

They reiterated the significance of maintaining peace and stability as well as respecting aviation and maritime freedom, security, and safety, and settling disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures in line with international law and UNCLOS.

ASEAN and China pledged to continue implementing the DOC in a serious, friendly, and effective manner.

The officials agreed to speed up negotiations and reaffirmed their hope of reaching a legally-binding and effective COC that is in accordance with international law and UNCLOS.