VLADISVOSTOK, 9 September 2012 – The Thai Foreign Minister has revealed that China is ready to work with ASEAN to sort out the South China Sea dispute.
While attending the 20th APEC Summit in Russia, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Yang Jiechi.
At the meeting, both ministers touched on the ongoing problem of South China Sea dispute, for which Thailand has been playing the part of the ASEAN-China coordinator.
Reporters said that the Chinese Foreign Minister agreed in principle on Thailand’s suggestion to organize unofficial talks among senior officers from ASEAN and China, in Cambodia before the ASEAN Summit later this year.
Under this suggestion, Thailand expressed its wish to see ASEAN and China sit down and work on the Code of Conduct (CoC) for South China Sea, which it believes to be the best way-out for the ongoing conflict.
Mr. Surapong revealed that he also talked with Mr. Yang about the water management in Mekong River, as Thailand will host a Greater Mekong Region-China meeting next January while China brought up the issue of maritime safety in the Mekong.
Information and Source
Correspondent : Nopparat Chaichalearmmongkol Nopparat Chaichalearmmongkol
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