CRI听力:China, ASEAN vow to promote peace, stability in South China Sea

The joint statement was issued after the meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterparts from 10 ASEAN members in Laos.

In it, the countries recognize that peace and stability in the region serve the fundamental interests of ASEAN member states and China.

The countries also reaffirmed commitment to implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and working substantively toward the early adoption of a Code of Conduct (COC).

They likewise confirmed their respect for, and commitment to, the freedom of navigation in and over flight above the South China Sea.

In commenting on the document, Wang Yi reiterated unilateral arbitration did nothing but turn the South China Sea waters into a sea of waves and storms.

"What I want to say first is that the so-called arbitration case unilaterally initiated by the former Philippine government has changed the previously effective method by parties concerned to resolve disputes peacefully through direct dialogue and consultation. It has led the control and negotiation on the South China Sea disputes towards a path of tension and confrontation, and turned the original peaceful and tranquil South China Sea into waters with waves and storms."

He added that it has been proven that the so-called arbitration was of no help to the stability of the region and between concerned parties.

"Facts have proven that over the more than three years in the past, the arbitration case has failed to play an active role in settling differences and stopping disputes - a role that an arbitration case should have played. Instead, it has disturbed regional peace, ruined regional stability and destroyed the process of China and ASEAN's joint implementation of the DOC and promotion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. Of course, it has also brought the China-Philippines relations to the bottom. Obviously, this doesn't serve the interests of people in the region, including the Philippines."

The Chinese minister suggested it's never too late to mend and that it's time now to make a fresh start, set things right and bring the issue back on track.

The joint statement also calls for all sides to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities which would complicate or escalate the disputes.

It also suggests there should be more cooperation in areas such as navigational safety, scientific research and anti-piracy efforts in the South China Sea.

The document follows the release of a joint communique issued by the ASEAN foreign ministers earlier in the day.

The communique did not mention the ill-founded award made by the ad hoc tribunal, over the South China Sea arbitration, unilaterally initiated by the Philippines.

During Monday's 10-plus-1 meeting, the ministers also discussed the experience and outlook of the 25-year-old China-ASEAN relations.

Wang Yi called on both sides to learn from the past experience and inject new impetus into the bilateral ties.

For CRI, this is Liu Mohan.