Senior officials from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have begun discussing a legally binding code of conduct to help deter sovereignty conflicts over disputed islands in the South China Sea.

The delegates opened the talks in the Chinese city of Suzhou on Sunday.

They confirmed they will continue the negotiations.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters the participants agreed to improve communication and exclude external interference to make the South China Sea a sea of peace.

He also said the Chinese delegates had proposed setting up a hotline among the relevant nations.

Some ASEAN delegates said the meeting itself is a sign of progress.

China has been cautious about drafting legally binding rules.

The United States and Japan are increasingly interested in supporting some ASEAN nations in their sovereignty disputes with China. China may be trying to reduce their influence by stressing its cooperation with ASEAN.

-------------------

This news was published on September 15, 2013.

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20130915_23.html

Source of picture: http://www.nippon.com/en/editor/f00022/