China, ASEAN to discuss formulating COC

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Southeast Asian diplomats will gather in Bangkok late this month to discuss the formulation of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, a spokeswoman said on Thursday.

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold the 8th Senior Officials' Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in Thailand from Oct. 28 to 29, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

The parties will discuss the comprehensive and effective implementation of the DOC, promoting practical maritime cooperation and formulation of a COC within the framework of the DOC, Hua said.

Prior to the senior officials' meeting, China and ASEAN will hold the 12th joint working group meeting on the implementation of the DOC, the spokeswoman said.