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Sincerity, Flexibility Necessary for Making Code of Conduct in South China Sea
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao Wednesday called on relevant countries to show political sincerity and flexibility in formulating the Code of Conduct in South China Sea.
China hosted the second consultation on the Code in Dalian in northeast China from August 24 to 25. Senior officials with foreign ministries of China and the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as the ASEAN Secretariat attended the consultation.
In response to a question raised by journalists, Zhu said that the participants further exchanged views on the draft of the Code, with their differences reduced and positions getting closer.
The spokesman said that the Code is a political document that is aimed at promoting good-neighborly friendship and regional stability, rather than a legal document for resolving disputes.
China put forward the draft of the Code last October and actively hosted this consultation, which, he said, again demonstrated China's good faith in and active attitude toward the formulation of the Code.
China has also put forward a number of active and constructive opinions concerning the text of the Code, the spokesman said.
The existing difficulties don't lie on the Chinese side, he added.
"We hope relevant countries will show necessary political sincerity and flexibility in line with the spirit of seeking common ground and leaving differences aside so as to make active contribution to the formulation of the Code," Zhu said.
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