On January 30, 2026, China and ASEAN countries held the 25th ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in Cebu, the Philippines. 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 participating parties unanimously agreed that maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is of great importance, and expressed support for strengthening dialogue, exercising restraint, properly handling differences, enhancing mutual trust, and safeguarding maritime stability. All parties agreed to continue fully and effectively implementing the DOC, and to deepen cooperation in marine environmental protection, scientific research, search and rescue, law enforcement, and other areas. All parties spoke highly of the positive progress made in the consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), deliberated over and adopted the roadmap for the next consultation on the COC, and agreed to accelerate the consultation process and strive to reach the COC at an early date.

From January 30 to February 1, China and ASEAN countries will also hold the 51st meeting of the Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the DOC.