On May 21, 2026, China and ASEAN countries held the 26th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Hou Yanqi and Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Dato’ Sri Amran Mohamed Zin co-chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior officials and representatives from ASEAN countries.

The parties attending the meeting unanimously underscored the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the South China Sea, and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the full and effective implementation of the DOC, strengthening dialogue and consultation, exercising self-restraint, properly managing differences, deepening maritime practical cooperation, and keeping the situation in the South China Sea stable. The parties affirmed the positive progress made in the consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) and agreed to maintain the momentum of consultations to work toward the early conclusion of a COC.

From May 22 to May 23, China and ASEAN countries will also hold the 55th meeting of the Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the DOC to continue advancing the COC consultations.