Premier Li confident on South China Sea code

Premier Li Keqiang said he is confident that China and ASEAN countries will deliver a substantive, high-quality and effective code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea to promote rule-making in the region and make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

In a signed article published by Thai news outlets on Saturday, Li said the first reading of the single draft negotiating text for the COC of the South China Sea has been completed ahead of schedule and the second reading has kicked off smoothly.

"Admittedly, disputes do exist between China and some ASEAN countries over territory and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. Yet such disputes have not hindered the growth of China-ASEAN relations; in fact, they presented an area where we can work together," he wrote in the article.

He said he is pleased to see the strong momentum of East Asian cooperation, and, in particular, the dynamism and vibrancy of China-ASEAN cooperation, which leads ASEAN's cooperation with other countries.

Li is set to attend multilateral meetings including the 22nd China-ASEAN leaders' meeting, the 22nd ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea leaders' meeting, and the 14th East Asia Summit in Bangkok starting on Sunday, before making an official visit to Thailand.

Li highlighted the importance of promoting openness and cooperation to achieve win-win outcomes.

He noted that China and ASEAN member states are working together to advance the negotiations on a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, with the aim of building an FTA with the largest population, the most diverse membership and the biggest potential, and cultivating a more open Asian market.

Work is also underway to promote a higher level of connectivity through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and taking a train from Kunming to Bangkok will become a reality in the not too distant future, he noted.

"We will seize the opportunity of the China-ASEAN Year of Digital Economy Cooperation in 2020 to enhance cooperation on 5G communications, artificial intelligence, big data, the internet of things and smart city and share the convenience brought by science, technology and innovation," he wrote.

The premier also stressed the need to maintain peace and stability in the region, which he said is the bedrock for development and prosperity.

"The political trust between China and its neighbors has been deepening, and China has acted as a staunch force for peace and stability in the region," he wrote.