Political parties in Southeast Asian countries assert to jointly safeguard peace, stability in South China Sea

More than 10 political parties in Southeast Asian countries have recently expressed their support for dialogues and consultations between countries directly involved to solve disputes over the South China Sea, so as to jointly safeguard the region's peace and stability and oppose external interference in regional affairs.

Aerial photo taken on April 23, 2017 shows the Jinqing Island of Yongle Islands, located in the Xisha Islands, in south China's Hainan province. [File photo/Xinhua]

The parties told the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China that with the joint efforts of countries in the region, stability has been maintained in the South China Sea, which contributes to the prosperity and development of the region and the world.

Since the COVID-19 broke out, China has worked together with its Southeast Asian counterparts to fight against the pandemic. Cargo ships and airplanes loaded with medical supplies for the COVID-19 battle have been navigating through the South China Sea, which serves as an sea for mutual help and cooperation for their countries, they said.

The parties stressed that maintaining peace, stability, prosperity and development in the South China Sea is the common aspiration of all countries in the region and serves their shared interests.

They said they agree to seek resolution of relevant disputes through dialogue, negotiation and consultation among countries directly concerned and support regional countries in reaching an agreement on the Code of Conduct at an early date on the basis of abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

The parties advocate that regional countries should jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, and oppose external forces interfering in regional affairs and undermining regional peace and stability.

At this critical stage in the global fight against the novel coronavirus, countries in the region should strengthen solidarity and cooperation, focus on epidemic prevention and control and international anti-pandemic cooperation, work together to promote global economic recovery and bolster world peace, stability and development, they added.