MFA Press Statement: Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, 13 to 14 June 2016

     Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan co-chaired the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi today. 

     During the meeting, the Foreign Ministers reviewed the progress of ASEAN-China relations and discussed the future direction and priority areas of cooperation.  The Foreign Ministers also discussed the preparations for the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit that will take place in September 2016 in Lao PDR to celebrate 25 years of Dialogue Relations.  Minister Balakrishnan reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to work closely with ASEAN Member States and China to advance the mutually beneficial relationship.

     The Foreign Ministers also discussed recent developments in the South China Sea.  They highlighted the need to intensify efforts to achieve further progress in the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and substantive development of the Code of Conduct.  Minister Balakrishnan noted the serious concerns expressed by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers over the developments on the ground and called on ASEAN and China to continue working together to maintain the peace and stability of the South China Sea.  Minister Balakrishnan also reiterated Singapore’s long-standing position on the issue and underscored the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes with full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, as well as the right of freedom of navigation and over-flight under international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

     Minister Balakrishnan will return to Singapore on 14 June 2016. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

14 JUNE 2016