China to negotiate directly with ASEAN members over disputes
时间：2012-04-06 06:22:39
搜索关注在线英语听力室公众号：tingroom，领取免费英语资料大礼包。
（单词翻译）
BEIJING, April 5 (Xinhua) -- China will negotiate directly with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on drafting a code of conduct concerning the South China Sea, a Foreign Ministry1 spokesman said Thursday.
The document is important in
implementing2 the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular press conference.
At the annual ASEAN summit in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh on Tuesday, Philippine President Benigno Aquino said ASEAN should forge a common position on a proposed code of conduct aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea before talking with China.
Hong responded that the DOC, signed by China and ASEAN countries in November 2002, is intended to promote peace and stability in the South China Sea, and it is not used for resolving disputes on
territorial3 sovereignty and
maritime4 rights in the South China Sea.
ASEAN has also
reiterated5 that, as a regional organization, it is
impartial6 on controversial issues, and disputes concerning the South China Sea should be dealt with through peaceful
negotiation7 among the claimants, according to Hong.
China has been implementing the DOC with ASEAN members in a positive manner, including conducting
joint8 research programs and cooperative projects, he added.
ASEAN is comprised of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.?
分享到：
