FOUR DOCUMENTS
After the meeting, the two sides issued four documents, including a joint statement of the meeting, a joint statement on production capacity cooperation, a joint statement on the application of the code for unplanned encounters at sea in the South China Sea, as well as a guideline on senior diplomat hot line to cope with maritime emergencies.
In the joint statement of the meeting, the two sides reaffirm their mutual respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international law and the principle of non- interference in the internal affairs of other states, and their commitment to promoting regional peace and stability.
China reaffirms continued support for ASEAN's integration process and ASEAN centrality, while ASEAN reaffirms that China's development is an important opportunity for the region, and supports China's pursuit of peaceful development. ASEAN countries also reaffirm adherence to the one-China policy.
The two sides agree to continue to promote cooperation in areas including defense and security, connectivity, environmental protection, sustainable development, management of land and water resources, and bio-diversity conservation, while addressing trans-boundary challenges.
In the joint statement on production capacity cooperation, the two sides emphasize cooperation in highly-complementary sectors based on their respective priorities, comparative advantages, and levels of development, and recognize the importance of capacity building, taking into account the different needs of ASEAN members on production capacity practices.
The two sides will support the cooperation by facilitating exchange of information on relevant policies so as to create a favorable business and investment environment for production capacity cooperation.
The guideline on senior diplomat hot line to cope with maritime emergencies stipulates the purpose, application scope and procedure of the hotline platform.
It will provide an instant and effective communication channel for direct discussion and coordination among senior diplomats from related countries.
SOUTH CHINA SEA ISSUE
Both China and ASEAN reaffirmed a full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and agreed to work substantively toward the early adoption of a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea based on consensus.
The two sides reaffirmed their respect of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea under principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
According to the joint statement on the application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) in the South China Sea issued after the meeting, the two sides recognized that Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and China are members of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) and have adopted the CUES.
The CUES, as a coordinated means of communication to maximize safety at sea, offers a means by which navies may develop mutually rewarding international cooperation and transparency, according to the document.
The leaders agreed to use the safety and communication procedures for the safety of all their naval ships and naval aircraft, as set out in the CUES.
China is willing to work with the ASEAN countries in dispelling interference, and properly handling the South China Sea issue according to the DOC and dual-track approach, Li said.
History and the facts have repeatedly showed that the South China Sea can only be peaceful and stable so long as the regional countries themselves get hold of the key to fixing the problems, he added.
For their part, the ASEAN leaders expressed appreciation for China's efforts in promoting the COC talks. They also insist on solving the differences over the South China Sea through dialogues so as not to allow these spats to overshadow the relations between the two sides.
