BEIJING, Aug. 6 -- China and ASEAN nations have agreed to speed up consultations on a Code of Conduct for issues in the South China Sea. The agreement was announced at a joint news conference between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Thai counterpart.

Before the press conference, Wang Yi held talks with foreign ministers and senior officials of ten ASEAN nations. Wang said China and ASEAN are dominant forces in maintaining regional peace and security. He said that both sides believe that the forthcoming establishment of the ASEAN Community by the end of the year will give a fresh boost to China's "Belt and Road" initiative. This he said was because many of the countries in south-east Asia were on the route of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.