AGREEMENT ON DOC REFLECTION OF EFFECTIVE ARF

NUSA DUA (BALI), July 23 (Bernama) -- Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan says the agreement on the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) is a reflection that the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) works.

This sentiment is shared by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who has described the agreement as a "very important" landmark, the Asean Secretariat said in a release Friday.

The two leaders met at the Asean-China Ministerial Meeting here, co-chaired by Vietnam and China.

"China will actively cooperate with Asean in the drafting of the Code of Conduct," said Yang.

Quoting from the Chinese saying that "a thousand-mile journey begins with the first step", he stressed that it was an important first step by China and Asean "towards practical cooperation and building mutual trust".

The announcement of the agreement on the Guidelines on Wednesday, made headlines across the Asia-Pacific region, with many media analysing its importance and impact on peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Surin and Yang agreed that 2011 is an important year for Asean and China, as it marks the 20th anniversary of bilateral ties. A series of activities have been planned in Beijing and Asean countries to celebrate the occasion.

Surin said the focus to bring the celebrations to the people, dovetaled with Indonesia’s emphasis on a people-centred Asean.

Indonesia is the chair of Asean this year, and Jakarta has virtually pulled out all stops to make sure its chairmanship is a meaningful one.

On the future of bilateral relations, Surin and Yang agreed that an
important cornerstone in relations was the exchange among their youths,
especially the exchange of students between both sides.

Yang noted that for the first decade of this millennium, China and Asean had jointly achieved the biggest free-trade area of the developing world, and the two sides should build on this and aim for another landmark achievement in the second decade.

The upbeat sentiments were also expressed by Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

The ministers expressed their commitment to work together in implementing the Asean-China Plan of Action, and in developing collaborative activities to strengthen Asean-China connectivity.

On the South China Sea issue, the ministers noted China’s exhortation to make the area "a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation".

They also noted the importance attached by China to freedom of navigation and safety.