China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a key shipping lane that is believed to be rich in mineral and marine resources. Wang said that the framework for a code of conduct in the South China Sea was "taking shape" in talks between China and ASEAN. "This fact shows to the world that China and ASEAN countries have full capability and wisdom to handle differences between us and maintain stability in the South China Sea," Wang told a press conference, after meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. China has repeatedly stressed in the past that countries that have no claims to the South China Sea should not interfere in efforts to resolve the territorial disputes in the area. The United States has been conducting "freedom of navigation" patrols in the South China Sea since the administration of former president Barack Obama.

Source: The China Post July 25, 2017 09:33 UTC