China says South China Sea issue should not become an obstacle in China-ASEAN ties

BEIJING: China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the South China Sea issue should not become an obstacle in China-ASEAN relations.

Speaking at a press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila on Wednesday, alongside foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and the ASEAN secretary-general.

Wang noted that under the joint strategic guidance of the leaders of both sides, China-ASEAN cooperation yielded fruitful results, benefiting over two billion people, according to Lin.

China has reached important common understandings with eight ASEAN member states on forming a community with a shared future bilaterally, the spokesperson said, citing Wang's remarks.

On the South China Sea, Wang said it is the common home of regional countries and the issue should not become an obstacle in China-ASEAN relations. 

China and ASEAN nations have the wisdom and capability to continue properly handling this issue to turn peace, stability, cooperation and friendship into the main narrative in the South China Sea, and keep the initiative over upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea firmly in the hands of regional countries, the foreign minister said.

Lin added that China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to remove disruptions and accelerate consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.