KUCHING, Aug 13 — The Asean-China Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), to be held here tomorrow, will be a key platform to accelerate negotiations towards finalising a Code of Conduct (COC) in the disputed waters.
Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin said the focus of the meeting is to ensure all parties continue to respect principles agreed upon under the DOC, which form the foundation of good relations in the region.
“Ihe meeting will intensify negotiations to finalise the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC), with a target of completion by July 2026.
“We need to step up negotiations more aggressively and proactively so that the COC draft can be finalised according to schedule,” he said after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi here today.
Amran said the SOM, which gathers representatives from Asean states and China, is part of efforts to strengthen regional ties and cooperation.
“The discussions will focus on measures to ensure peace, security and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
“The South China Sea has increasingly become the focus of international attention, not only for Asean and China, but also for countries outside the region, so close cooperation is essential to maintain stability,” Amran added.
In a statement on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said the SOM aims to enhance the implementation of the DOC, which was signed November 4, 2002, by Asean members and China.
