China and Laos have reached a consensus on the issue of South China Sea

Almaty. April 25. Silkroadnews – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Salomsay Kommasit, the Chinese media reported.

As the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry noted, the Chinese side expresses its appreciation for Laos’s commitment to the objective and fair position on the South China Sea.

According to Wang Yi, the parties reached a consensus as follows: the parties unanimously believe that the existing disputes over some islands and reefs of Nansha Islands is not an issue between China and ASEAN, and should not affect the development of China-ASEAN relations.

In addition, the sovereign states’ right to an independent choice of means for the dispute settlement in accordance with international law must be respected. All parties should support, in accordance with the content of Article 4 of the Declaration actions of the parties in the South China Sea, the peaceful settlement of territorial and maritime disputes by the directly involved countries through friendly consultations and negotiations to protect peace and stability in the South China Sea.