“In this regard, we support the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and look forward to an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC),” the joint statement dubbed as Delhi Declaration read. China claims historic rights over about 90 percent of the South China Sea, where about $5-trillion worth of goods pass through every year. In 2002, ASEAN and China signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to highlight their aim to resolve disputes peacefully and to maintain stability in the region. RCEP is a proposed free trade deal among ASEAN members, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. RELATED: ASEAN goes soft on China as sea code talks start l ASEAN, China to start talks on South China Sea code

Source: Philippine Star January 27, 2018 03:56 UTC