Japan hopes China, ASEAN to defuse tension by code of conduct+

TOKYO, July 8 Kyodo -
Japan expressed its hope Friday that China and Southeast Asian nations will defuse tension over territorial disputes in the South China Sea by agreeing on a code of conduct to resolve rows in the sea area.
Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto said at a press conference, ''It's desirable that talks on the code of conduct between China and ASEAN countries move forward and stabilize the South China Sea.''
Matsumoto said he conveyed Tokyo's concerns earlier in the week to his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi over escalating tension between China and some of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the sea area.
He said he believes the sea ''plays a big role in linking the world's economies'' and that the international community is ''interested in ensuring maritime safety and freedom of navigation.''
In 2002, China and ASEAN adopted the so-called Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea that provides the framework for talks to resolve the territorial disputes. Work on a more formal code of conduct has been trudging along ever since.
==Kyodo
2011-07-08 23:58:40