South China Sea code of conduct talks to help stabilise region, says China’s premier

China’s agreement to begin discussions with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on the fine print of a code of conduct framework for the disputed South China Sea will be a “stabiliser” for the region, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said.

“China’s greatest hope is for peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Li told Asean leaders in Manila.

Southeast Asian and China’s foreign ministers adopted a negotiating framework in August for a code of conduct in the South China Sea, a move they hailed as progress but seen by critics as a tactic to buy China time to consolidate its maritime power.

Li, addressing leaders of the Asean bloc during a summit in the Philippines capital Manila on Monday, said there was a consensus on moving forward and to try to peacefully resolve the thorny issue.

“We hope the talks on the code of conduct will bolster mutual understanding and trust. We will strive under the agreement, to reach a consensus on achieving early implementation of the code of conduct,” Li said, according to a transcript of his speech released by China’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

Li did not give a time frame, but said he hoped this move would be a “stabiliser” for the region.