China's top diplomat urged claimant countries in the ongoing South China Sea dispute to sustain the "dual-track approach" that Beijing has been actively advocating for the past year, to avoid conflicts and "outside interference" that he said might impede the region's overall interests.

Following talks with senior officials including his counterpart in Brunei yesterday, Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, told a press conference that after in-depth discussions and exchange of views on the current situation, both sides have reached an agreement to push forward the dual-track approach and also ways to deepen the cooperation.

The dual-track approach, an initiative Wang noted was spearheaded by Brunei Darussalam, seeks to resolve specific disputes through negotiations and consultations by countries directly concerned and uphold peace and stability in the region by China and Asean member countries working together.

"Both China and Brunei have mutual stakes in the South China Sea, therefore both countries have stakes in peace and stability in this region and naturally our two countries have close communication and coordination on this matter," Wang said, while stressing that China and all the claimant states must "work hard to remove disruptions and overcome difficulties" while properly resolving the issues through consultations and negotiations.

Wang said the approach is in accordance with the UN Charter and also conforms to Article 4 of the binding Declaration of Conduct (DOC) signed by China and Asean member countries, adding that the approach is the most "realistic and feasible" way to properly handle the disputes and maintain stability in the region.

Wang said parties directly concerned may identify solutions acceptable to both sides, explore ways to shelve differences, seek joint development and effectively manage differences.

At the same time China and Asean will work together to implement the provisions in the DOC and accelerate consultation process on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea and we also may approach new ways to enhance cooperation among all the states, including China," he added.

Wang warned that running counter to the dual-track approach may lead to Asean's overall interests being "impeded or hijacked by certain countries for their own selfish interest", and added that these "interferences from outside forces" might undermine the overall stability in the South China Sea.

Wang called on all Asean member countries to act together with China with a great sense of responsibility to effectively manage differences and maintaining peace and stability in the region by maintaining the dual track strategy which, he believes, will serve the interests of all states in the row "We want to show to the outside world that China and Asean has the full capability and wisdom to manage differences and in maintaining stability in the region so that South China Sea will truly be a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation," the Chinese foreign minister added.

When asked about the extent of discussions on joint exploration and production of oil and gas between Brunei and China, Wang said they have been engaged in active discussion with Brunei and hopes to see specific results soon.

"We believe that by doing so, we can create a model for common development, joint development and common prosperity for countries in this region," Wang added.

Wang arrived here on Thursday for a two-day visit to the Sultanate, the first leg of his three-nation tour which will also take him to Cambodia and Laos.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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