TEMPO.CO, Pattaya - The 7th ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (SOM on DOC) and the 20th ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Consultation (ACSOC) were held on 21 and 22 April in Pattaya City, Thailand, respectively.

The SOM on DOC agreed to continue building mutual trust and practical cooperation between ASEAN and China in order to maintain and promote peace, stability and maritime security in the South China Sea. The Meeting underlined the need to pursue full and effective implementation of the DOC, which includes not only project-based confidence building activities but also full observance of the principles and norms of conduct as laid down in the DOC.

With regard to the Code of Conduct (COC), while acknowledging the importance of building consensus and expanding commonalities in this respect, ASEAN reiterated the importance of expediting the on-going COC consultation to further substantive discussions towards its early conclusion.

Meanwhile, the 20th ACSOC reviewed and discussed ways and means to further strengthen the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership, particularly serving as a follow-up to the initiatives and outcomes of the 16th ASEAN-China Summit held on October 9, 2013 in Bandar Seri Begawan.

During the meeting, Senior Officials discussed, among others, major initiatives made by China on exploring the possibility of signing an ASEAN-China treaty on good neighbourliness and friendly cooperation, launching the negotiations on an upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, enhancing ASEAN-China cooperation in connectivity including the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, enhancing maritime cooperation, and implementation of activities under the ASEAN-China Cultural Exchange Year 2014.

In addition, Senior Officials from both parties also exchanged views on East Asian cooperation. China reaffirmed its support for ASEAN's central role in regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Plus Three (ASEAN+3), East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), and in promoting East Asian cooperation toward the establishment of an East Asian community. Meanwhile, ASEAN reaffirmed its adherence to the one-China policy. (*)