In a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sideline of Asean foreign minister meeting here in Vientiane, Don said territorial dispute on the contentious sea was intensively discussed.
“All concern parties notably in the Asean want to see the disputes were solved peacefully, Don told reporters Sunday after the bilateral meeting.
Territorial disputes over the South China Sea between members of Asean and China dominated the annual meeting of Asean foreign ministers.
The regional grouping Asean was struggling to have a common stance over the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)’s judgment which said China has no historical right over the sea against the Philippines.
Claimant states notably the Philippines and Vietnam wanted the Asean to welcome the court decision while some members which have good connection with Beijing did not want to mention the ruling in the joint communiqué to be issued after the ministerial meeting.
With flexibility from China as well as Asean spirit to solve the different in peaceful way, the Asean officials would be able to break the diplomatic impasse, Don said.
Wang Yi, who arrived Vientiane on Sunday met bilaterally with several Asean ministers including Myanmar’s State Councellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss the matter.
He told reporters that China will continue sticking to the “dual-track” approach to solve the South China Sea issue.
The “dual-track” approach — disputes should be resolved peacefully through negotiation between the parties directly concerned, and China and Asean countries should work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, according to state-run Xinhua news agency.
The Chinese top diplomat believed the “dual-track” approach, which complies with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and principles of the UN Charter emblematic of international law, serves the common interests and desire of countries in the region, it said.