Indonesia’s foreign minister said ASEAN and China need to continue discussing the Code of Conduct (COC), which progress remains very slow.

Countries express concern that unilateral activities in the South China Sea (called East Sea by Vietnam) recently have increased tensions and eroded trust.

Hanoi People's Committee is seeking the citizens’ opions to finalize the Regulations on activities in the walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake and the surrounding areas. There are a number of new points in the draft regulations, and the most noticeable one is that it recommends dressing politely and refraining from using indecent language in pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake. This is not the first time that such recommendations have been made, but this reminder is considered still necessary rather than redundant.

Geo-strategic competition and militarization in the East Sea continues the change the status quo, and further complicating the situation on the ground.

The 10-member bloc demands the code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea (called East Sea by Vietnam) be effective and substantive.

Identification might be included in a code of conduct which is slated to take effect this year.

ASEAN will persistently hold onto its principled position, emphasizing self-restraints, peaceful settlement of all disputes on the basis of international law, including 1982 UNCLOS,

The ASEAN chair is by tradition expected to show restraint and place the region’s interests before its own.