China Pays Special Attention To The Settlement Of LCS Problems And Online Gambling In ASEAN

JAKARTA - China pays special attention to solving problems with ASEAN member countries related to the South China Sea as well as online gambling that occurs in the Southeast Asia region.

"Over the past year, with joint efforts between China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea remains peaceful and stable, and remains the safest and busiest sea area for global navigation and aviation," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at an annual press conference in Beijing, quoted by Antara, Saturday, March 8.

The press conference is part of a series of Chinese parliamentary "Two Sessions" on March 4-11, 2025 which discusses the performance of the Chinese government in 2024 and the government's work plan for 2025.

"China and Indonesia have signed intergovernmental consensus documents on maritime development. China and Malaysia have launched bilateral dialogues on maritime issues. China has also achieved institutional dialogue regarding maritime affairs with related parties in the South China Sea," Wang Yi added.

Meanwhile, regarding tensions between China and the Philippines, China said that outsiders were involved in the area.

"Every time the Philippines does something at sea, there is a 'nakas' written by outsiders, the 'show' is spread by Western media, and the drama is sajs with the aim of defaming China," said Wang Yi.

However, Wang Yi said that currently people are no longer interested in watching the same show many times.

"China will continue to maintain territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in accordance with the law. When managing Ren'ai Jiao and Huangyan Dao, we also consider the actual condition with the spirit of humanity, but what I want to explain is actually violations and provocations get their own consequences," said Wang Yi.

There are differences in the names of coral islands disputed by several Southeast Asian countries with China. China calls coral reefs Ren'ai Jiao while the Philippines is the "Second Thomas Shoal". There the Philippines deliberately ported the former BRP Sierra Madre warship as a "floating headquarters".

Huangyan Dao is referred to as Karang Scarborough, the only island that has surfaced between the Zhongsha Islands (Macclesfield Bank).

"To achieve good neighboring relations and long-term stability in the South China Sea, we must also have rules, and the key is to implement the Code of Code of Conduct for Parties (Code of Conduct or COC) in the South China Sea and formulate the Code of Ethics in the South China Sea," said Wang Yi.

China believes the DOC consultation process is being accelerated, and the reading of the third text has been completed, he said.

"We are confident that the guidelines can be achieved. China is willing to cooperate with ASEAN countries to strengthen dialogue, eliminate foreign interference, collect and discuss differences, and achieve COC as soon as possible, so that it actually builds the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation," said Wang Yi.

ASEAN and China signed a Declament of Conduct of Conduct (DoC) in 2002. The DoC is a non-binding agreement outlining the principles of resolving disputes peacefully in these waters.

Until now, ASEAN and China are still trying to formulate a legally binding Code of Code of Conduct (Code of Conduct or CoC) to avoid conflict between countries disputed in the region.

While related to online fraud and gambling that disturbs the public, Wang Yi said it was also important for China.

"China leaders and leaders of several neighboring countries, law enforcement agencies and diplomatic corps have worked together to carry out cross-border cooperation and rescue displaced Chinese citizens for the crime," said Wang Yi.

The location of the fraud in northern Myanmar has been completely cleared.

"Four countries, namely China Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, are working together to crack down on fraud through networks in the Thailand-Myanmar border area. Our job is to break the black circle that traps the public and eradicate the fraud cancer network," said Wang Yi.