China agrees with 10 ASEAN nations to solve the dispute over South China Sea

China and ten members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] have agreed to form a framework for a code of conduct to ease tension in the disputed South China Sea.

Details:

• It is noted that China and a grouping of Southeast Asian nations aim to finish by the middle of next year a framework for a code of conduct to ease tension in the disputed South China Sea.
• Meeting in northeastern China, the two sides agreed to get the framework for the code of conduct done by mid-2017, and also approved guidelines for a China-ASEAN hotline for use during maritime emergencies and they also agreed that a pact on unplanned maritime encounters, signed in 2014 by countries in the region, applied to the South China Sea.
• The two sides also agreed to get the framework for the code of conduct done by mid-2017. They also approved guidelines for a China-ASEAN hotline for use during maritime emergencies. They also agreed that a pact on unplanned maritime encounters signed by countries in the region in 2014 is applied to the SCS.
• It is noted that hotline and unplanned encounters would be presented for final approval to leaders in Laos next month at a meeting between China and ASEAN members.