Both sides vowed to implement the DOC and create a Code of Conduct in the East Sea. They spoke of the need to maintain peace, stability, maritime security and safety, confidence building co-operation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international laws, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Participants also re-assessed the implementation of DOC, especially in restarting the ASEAN-China senior officials’ meeting and reaffirmed that the declaration was an important document for building trust in the region.

ASEAN emphasized the need to soon start working with China on creating the Code of Conduct.