BANGKOK, Nov 03 (DNA): Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Sunday that he
hopes all sides will actively carry forward consultations on the Code of
Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea according to the previously agreed
timetable.

Li made the comment at the 22nd China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders’ meeting in
Bangkok.

The South China Sea situation has been generally stable as a result of
concerted efforts between China and the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) member states, Li said.

“Last year, I proposed a vision that the COC talks will be completed in
three years,” he said, adding that in the past year, the first reading
of the single draft negotiating text of the COC in the South China Sea
has been completed ahead of schedule, and the second reading has been
launched.

The COC is an upgraded version of the Declaration on the Conduct of
Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Relevant sides are expected to
follow the DOC principles, resist disruptions, meet each other halfway,
and finish the second reading in 2020, Li said.

Li called on all sides to uphold peace, friendship, and cooperation in
the South China Sea and safeguard lasting peace, stability in the
region.