Heads of State/Government of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People's Republic of China gathered Monday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). A joint declaration was issued which embodies the collective commitment of ASEAN Member States and China to comply with DOC principles to promote peace, stability and mutual trust.

ASEAN and Chinese leaders committed to implementing fully and effectively the DOC, cooperating to enhance maritime security, encouraging concerned parties to resolve territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force. They reached consensus that conflicts should be settled through friendly consultations and negotiations by directly concerned sovereign states, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. All related parties should exercise self-restraint in activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability included inhabiting the present uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, and other features and handle their differences in a constructive manner.