​China said it is willing to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be able to meet the set target for the conclusion of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.

Beijing's pronouncement was a welcome development for the five other claimants states—namely the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei—and other ASEAN members amid tension in the contested waterway that persists due to the absence of a sea conduct since contesting claims arose around two decades ago.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, on Thursday, Jan. 11, made the pronouncement as she welcomed Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi's remark when she visited Manila.

Marsudi expressed Indonesia's readiness to work with the Philippines and other ASEAN members to finalize a much-needed sea conduct in the disputed waterway.

"China and ASEAN countries are working toward the adoption of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which is an important measure in implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). The consultations on the COC are going smoothly," Mao said regarding the status of the negotiations.

The Chinese official also bared that the second reading of the COC draft was already completed, and "the third reading has commenced."

She said concerned parties also adopted guidelines to expedite the consultations, which developed although the "issue of the South China Sea is highly complex and faces external interference."

"We hope ASEAN countries will work with us toward the set target and speed up consultations for the early adoption of the COC," Mao said.