Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 27 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen hopes that when Cambodia chairs ASEAN Summit and related meetings in 2022, China and relevant ASEAN member countries will be able to sign the Code of Conduct (CoC) on the South China Sea, according to information minister Khieu Kanharith’s Facebook post on 26 November 2021.

Kanharith quoted premier Hun Sen’s remarks at at the 13th Asia-Europe Summit, held on 26 November 2021.

"I sincerely hope that when Cambodia chairs ASEAN in 2022, China and relevant ASEAN member countries will sign the CoC on the South China Sea. 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the Phnom Penh initiative on drafting the CoC for all countries involved in the South China Sea”, the minister quoted.

As a member of ASEAN, Cambodia has a common desire for the South China Sea to remain a sea of peace, stability and prosperity.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has declared, “As a non-sovereign state in the South China Sea, Cambodia should remain neutral on territorial disputes, and Cambodia hopes that the parties concerned continue to maintain a favorable environment in the South China Sea for the sake of peace, security and stability in the region that will contribute to the conclusion of the CoC in the South China Sea.”

Cambodia highly appreciated the progress of the negotiations towards the completion of the CoC in the South China Sea.
=FRESH NEWS