Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged views with political dignitaries of Singapore and Malaysia on the current situation in the South China Sea and staked out China's position during his visit to the two countries.

Wang Yi said, thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN, the situation in the South China Sea has been generally stable over the years, providing a favorable environment for respective development. However, the United States and some other forces wish nothing but chaos in the South China Sea and keep stirring up trouble in this sea area. Recently, the United States fanned up the flames over the Ren'ai Jiao dispute, provoked discord and incited confrontation between China and the Philippines, and disrupted the peace and tranquility of the South China Sea, to serve the United States' own geopolitical strategy. China hopes that regional countries will maintain necessary vigilance against the evil claws behind the scenes and hold the initiative of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea in their own hands. China has repeatedly expressed its willingness to properly handle existing differences with the Philippines through bilateral dialogue. China hopes that the Philippines will abide by the common understandings reached in the past, cherish the mutual trust accumulated through the improvement of bilateral relations, and work with China in the same direction to seek effective ways to manage the maritime situation as soon as possible.

Wang Yi stressed that China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to accelerate the negotiation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and strive to reach a regional norm that is effective, substantive and in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China believes that China and ASEAN countries are capable and wise enough to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and build their common home.