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Summary China has reacted cautiously to proposal to establish maritime rules in South China Sea.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying said foreign ministers from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had proposed Wednesday that they hold talks on establishing a code of conduct.The ministers made the proposal in talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.China and several Southeast Asian countries have overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea. Chinese and Philippine ships have been engaged in a standoff in one disputed area since April.Fu said Yang would seriously consider the proposal if conditions are ripe for discussions.
