ASEAN Countries and China would together safeguard freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea

On the occasion of the visit to Thailand of His Excellency Mr. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China on 15 – 16 February 2019, at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, the two Ministers held their strategic consultation in Chiang Mai, where they exchanged views on current global and regional development, as well as on future direction and priorities in Thailand – China Relations.

On the issue of the South China Sea, both Ministers discussed latest development in connection with the ongoing dialogue between ASEAN and China on the draft Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (CoC). They welcomed the progress achieved by both sides over the matter, particularly in the negotiation over the single text of the draft COC. Both sides also attached importance to promoting win-win cooperation activities in the South China Sea such as in marine environmental protection.

In relation to the above issue, His Excellency the State Councilor assured the Thai side, currently Chair of ASEAN, of the policy of the Chinese government, like other parties to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to safeguard freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in accordance with the law. China has observed the said position over the years and will continue to do so in the future. He also reiterated that China will continue its efforts to work with other parties to enhance peace and security in the area and ultimately to make the South China Sea a Sea of Peace, Security and Sustainable Development.

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                                                                   Ministry of Foreign Affairs
                                                                  of the Kingdom of Thailand
                                                                          16 February 2019