Meddling in East Asian affairs has become some countries' "routine": senior diplomat

Meddling in cooperations of East Asian countries has become "a routine" of some countries and what they did is neither constructive nor responsible, and will not win popularity, a senior Chinese diplomat told reporters on Monday.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng made the remarks shortly after the 14th East Asia Summit concluded here. The summit is an annual regional event gathering 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.

He criticized certain extra-regional countries for attempting to make waves and sow discord in the South China Sea although the region has been peaceful all the time.

According to Le, China and the ASEAN members have maintained sound communication and cooperation regarding the South China Sea issue.

He said that the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) offers a direction, while consultations on the Code of Conduct (COC), an upgraded version of the DOC, has a confirmed and clear roadmap and timeline.

China and the ASEAN countries have willingness and capabilities, and are confident in jointly safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea and making its situation continuously improve, the diplomat said.

Regrettably, "while the tree desires tranquility, the wind keeps blowing," Le quoted a Chinese old saying, saying that certain extra-regional countries should respect and support efforts of intra-regional countries in maintaining stability and do not act as a meddler against cooperation in East Asia.