Thursday, March 16, 2017 9:51:26 AM
South China Sea | Wed Mar 15, 2017 | 1:51am EDT
China hopes to maintain stability in South China Sea: Premier Li
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that China hopes to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea by pushing forward with negotiations for a code of conduct for rival claimants in the disputed waters.
Addressing a news conference at the end of the annual meeting of China's parliament, Li said that "substantive progress" has been made on the code.
Negotiations began in 2010 for an agreed upon set of rules between China and the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) aimed at avoiding conflict in the South China Sea.
WERBUNG
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said last week that a first draft of the code was ready and that tension in the waterway had eased noticeably.
China lays claim to almost all of the resource-rich South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion worth of trade passes each year.
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of the waters that have rich fishing grounds, along with oil and gas deposits.
Li reiterated China's stance that the issue is a regional affair that should be "decided and resolved by the countries directly involved."
"China does not want to see any party feeling compelled to choose sides under the influence on a Cold War mentality," he said, without elaborating.
Also In South China Sea
China pledges firm response if Japan interferes in South China Sea
Australia urges South China Sea ruling as basis for 'code of conduct'
The United States has criticized China's construction of man-made islands and build-up of military facilities in the sea, and expressed concern they could be used to restrict free of movement.
China has long called for what it terms "countries outside the region" - generally a reference to the United States - to stay out of the dispute, saying China and Southeast Asia are determined to resolve things peacefully.
Li said that China and the United States' could widen areas of cooperation in the Asian-Pacific to provide opportunities to ASEAN countries "instead of making ASEAN countries feel that (U.S.-China interaction) might be a source of trouble."
He did not directly mention the U.S. stance on the South China Sea.
Recent FECOF News
- Form 6-K - Report of foreign issuer [Rules 13a-16 and 15d-16] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 09/06/2024 06:55:46 PM
- Form 6-K - Report of foreign issuer [Rules 13a-16 and 15d-16] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 09/06/2024 06:55:04 PM
- Form 6-K - Report of foreign issuer [Rules 13a-16 and 15d-16] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 09/06/2024 06:53:41 PM
VHAI - Vocodia Partners with Leading Political Super PACs to Revolutionize Fundraising Efforts • VHAI • Sep 19, 2024 11:48 AM
Dear Cashmere Group Holding Co. AKA Swifty Global Signs Binding Letter of Intent to be Acquired by Signing Day Sports • DRCR • Sep 19, 2024 10:26 AM
HealthLynked Launches Virtual Urgent Care Through Partnership with Lyric Health. • HLYK • Sep 19, 2024 8:00 AM
Element79 Gold Corp. Appoints Kevin Arias as Advisor to the Board of Directors, Strengthening Strategic Leadership • ELMGF • Sep 18, 2024 10:29 AM
Mawson Finland Limited Further Expands the Known Mineralized Zones at Rajapalot: Palokas step-out drills 7 metres @ 9.1 g/t gold & 706 ppm cobalt • MFL • Sep 17, 2024 9:02 AM
PickleJar Announces Integration With OptCulture to Deliver Holistic Fan Experiences at Venue Point of Sale • PKLE • Sep 17, 2024 8:00 AM