On October 26, 2023, China and ASEAN countries held the 21st Senior Officials' Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in Beijing. Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Hong Liang, as a senior Chinese official, co-chaired the meeting with Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar Khin Thidar Aye, as an acting senior official of the other side. Senior officials and representatives from ASEAN countries were present.

China and ASEAN countries agreed that maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is of great significance, and called for exercising restraint, strengthening dialogue, properly handling differences and maintaining stability in the maritime situation. All parties agreed to continue the comprehensive and effective implementation of the DOC, deepen cooperation in areas such as marine environmental protection, scientific research, search and rescue, and law enforcement, and organize relevant projects.

At the meeting, all parties announced the official launch of the third reading of the text of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and agreed to implement the guidelines for accelerating the conclusion of the COC as adopted by the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and strive to conclude the COC at an early date, so as to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

From October 23 to 25, China and ASEAN countries also held the 41st meeting of the joint working group on the implementation of the DOC.