Chinese FM appreciates Cambodia's fair stance on South China Sea issue

China highly appreciates Cambodia's efforts to uphold justice over the South China Sea issue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

When meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn on the sidelines of an ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in the Lao capital on Sunday, Wang said history will prove Cambodia's fair and just stance, which will contribute to ASEAN solidarity, ASEAN's central role in regional cooperation and China-ASEAN cooperation as well as peace and stability in the region.

"We will not allow external forces to cause turbulence in the region by hyping up the so-called South China Sea arbitration," he said.

China has dismiss the ill-founded award issued by an ad hoc tribunal over the arbitration case unilaterally initiated by the Philippines as "null and void with no binding force."

China is willing to join hands with Cambodia and other ASEAN nations to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), said the Chinese top diplomat.

"Disputes should be resolved peacefully through negotiation between the parties directly concerned in accordance with the DOC, and China and ASEAN countries should work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea."

Prak Sokhonn said maritime disputes in the South China Sea are not an issue between ASEAN and China, adding that the South China Sea arbitration has damaged the regional stability.

Urging all concerned parties not to escalate the tension, he said they should refocus on dialogue and cooperation, which serves the long-term interests of ASEAN and all countries in the region. Endit