China to abide by Asean action

PHNOM PENH – Beijing has promised to “abide” by the collective action of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with regard to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) that it signed here in Cambodia 10 years ago.

China gave the assurance in a joint statement it issued along with the Kingdom of Cambodia during Monday’s 20th ASEAN Summit here, where it also expressed support for the creation of a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation (ZoPFFC).

“China and ASEAN countries shall work hard to serve practical cooperation, maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and make it a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation for China and ASEAN countries,” the two countries declared.

Both parties also agreed that China and ASEAN countries “shall continue to abide by the purpose and spirit of the DOC.”

Beijing and Phnom Penh likewise vowed to “give full play to all existing mechanisms, including the guidelines for the implementation of the DOC, facilitate its full implementation, and ensure the success of the workshop on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the declaration.”