Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Philippine counterpart, Teodoro Locsin, pledged on Monday joint efforts to advance consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). Wang said at the joint press conference with Locsin that under the guidance of the leaders of China and the Philippines, and thanks to joint efforts, the situation in the South China Sea is improving and getting more stable. "Countries concerned have returned to the track of dialogue and negotiations and consultations to properly handle the differences, together with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, China and these countries are jointly upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea," Wang said.

China, Philippines pledge more efforts to maintain peace, stability in South China Sea. (2018, October 31). Manila Bulletin, p. 11.