進入英語學習論壇下載音頻 去聽寫專區一展身手

China has long sought a regional code of conduct for the South China Sea, which some Southeast Asian nations are calling for, to help properly settle territorial disputes there, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Tuesday.

Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin made the remarks at a briefing about Premier Wen Jiabao's attendance at the ASEAN and East Asia summits on the Indonesian island of Bali later this week.

"China and ASEAN countries set enacting a code of conduct as a goal in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed in 2002," Liu said.

The Declaration is a set of non-binding rules, while Vietnam and the Philippines have been actively promoting a legally binding code of conduct.

"Enacting a [code of conduct] is part of the process to implement the [Declaration]. China is willing to actively push forward the implementation of the [Declaration] with ASEAN nations," Liu said.

But Liu added that Beijing hoped the issue would not be discussed at the two-day East Asia Summit.

The Philippines said this week it was looking to form a united front on the South China Sea issue among ASEAN members meeting in Bali.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio said her country would raise its proposal at every opportunity at the summits.

But the Philippines' initiative, including a call for a meeting of parties with claims in the area, lost steam on Tuesday when Malaysia indicated it would not take part.

"China is showing a positive step by organizing seminars and workshops, that is very positive. ASEAN should reciprocate on that," Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman told AFP.

"To introduce another forum will complicate the matter further," he said, adding it was more constructive to concentrate on the non-binding 2002 Declaration.

"The South China Sea issue has nothing to do with the East Asia Summit because the East Asia Summit is a forum for discussing economic cooperation and development," said Liu.

China's position on the South China Sea issue is clear and consistent, he said.

"China believes that the dispute should be resolved through peaceful consultation among parties directly concerned."

He added that the intervention of outside forces is not helpful for the settlement of the issue.

"On the contrary, it will only complicate the issue and sabotage peace, stability and development in the region," he said.

Questions:

1. When was the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed?

2. Who is the Philippine’s Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy?

3. Does Liu Zhenmin think intervention from outside forces is helpful?

Answers:

1. 2002.

2. Erlinda Basilio.

3. No.

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Emily Cheng is an editor at China Daily. She was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney with a degree in Media, English Literature and Politics. She has worked in the media industry since starting university and this is the third time she has settled abroad - she interned with a magazine in Hong Kong 2007 and studied at the University of Leeds in 2009.