On 13-15 May 2024, Thailand hosted the 43rd Meeting of the ASEAN-China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (JWG-DOC) in Bangkok. The Meeting was co-chaired by Myanmar, Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, and China. H.E. Mr. Bolbongse Vangphaen, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, led the Thai delegation at the Meeting.

The Meeting reviewed the implementation of the DOC, exchanged views on current situation in the South China Sea, and continued the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), as well as discussed ways to accelerate the negotiations towards an early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Back-to-back with the JWG-DOC Meeting, on 16-17 May 2024, Thailand also hosted the Track 1.5 Workshop on Marine Environmental Protection in the South China Sea as part of ASEAN and China’s efforts in promoting practical and win-win cooperation as stipulated in the DOC.

The participations at the Workshop discussed and exchanged views on promoting sustained cooperation on marine environmental protection in the South China Sea. They also visited the Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Center (Upper Gulf of Thailand) in Samut Sakhon for a first-hand experience of practical operation on marine environmental protection in Thailand.