ISTANBUL

Beijing on Wednesday said it was prepared to “actively push forward” consultations on a code of conduct for the disputed South China Sea with a “view to reaching an early conclusion," state media reported.

The statement came a day after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged for a “conclusion” of negotiations on the code of conduct "as soon as possible” to resolve disputes among maritime neighbors.

“China has always insisted on resolving disputes in the South China Sea through negotiation and consultation with the countries directly involved, and stands ready to work with” members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to “effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in a comprehensive and effective manner,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.

“With a view to reaching an early conclusion … we can jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Guo added.

China and ASEAN are engaged in discussions to finalize a code of conduct for the resource-rich waters, where several bloc members have overlapping claims with Beijing.

Malaysia currently holds the ASEAN chairmanship.

ASEAN is a 10-nation bloc representing Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Anwar's statement comes as Malaysia prepares to host a joint summit of ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and China in May.

“Strengthening ties with China, the Gulf Cooperation Council, BRICS and other emerging economies is not about choosing sides,” Anwar said earlier this week. “Rather, it is about ensuring ASEAN’s strategic relevance in a multipolar world.”