Peace, cooperation and friendship should be the new narrative of the South China Sea, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.
Wang made the statement at a press conference in Beijing on the sidelines of the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's supreme organ of state power.
"The South China Sea is home to the world's busiest, safest and freest shipping lanes. Over the past year, cooperation in the South China Sea has maintained a sound momentum. China had in-depth discussions with Indonesia on joint maritime development. China held bilateral dialogue with Malaysia on maritime issues and carried out cooperation with Vietnam on sustainable fisheries development. Just recently, China Coast Guard successfully rescued over a dozen Filipino crewmen distressed at the South China Sea. All these are ample proof that peace, cooperation and friendship should be the new narrative of the South China Sea. Making waves wins no hearts and fermenting trouble finds no takers," said Wang.
To achieve lasting peace and stability in the South China Sea requires solid institutional support, noted Wang, highlighting that consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), a long-sought framework to manage differences, have now reached a critical juncture.
"To achieve lasting peace and stability in the South China Sea requires solid institutional support. As we continue with the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, the COC, as you mentioned, has reached crunch time. All relevant parties look forward to wrapping it up this year. Together with the parties, China has the confidence and the resolve to remove interference, bridge differences, expand common ground and reach an agreement as soon as possible. The COC will provide the golden rules for the parties to effectively manage differences, build trust, and advance cooperation," he said.
The foreign minister called for the Philippines to fulfill its responsibility as this year's ASEAN chair and make positive contributions to regional peace and stability.
"We hope that as this year's ASEAN chair, the Philippines will recognize and fulfill its responsibility, resist the pull of self-interest, and play a positive and constructive role for peace and stability in the region," said Wang.
The fourth session of the 14th NPC opened on Thursday and is scheduled to run till March 12.
Peace, cooperation, friendship should be new narrative of South China Sea: Chinese FM
The National People's Congress (NPC) Financial and Economic Affairs Committee held a plenary meeting on Sunday to review the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, as well as the reports and drafts on budgets and economic and social development plans at the ongoing fourth session of the 14th NPC in Beijing.
The meeting passed three reports on the committee's review results and submitted them to the presidium of the fourth session of the 14th NPC.
The committee agreed that the goals and tasks outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) were successfully completed. The draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan submitted by the State Council is in line with the goals and requirements set forth in the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. Its major policy orientations align with the Party's basic theory, basic line and basic policy. Its main objectives, key tasks and major projects are in line with China's national conditions and stage of development, conform to the law of economic and social development, and are consistent with the country's medium- and long-term development strategic goals. Overall, it is feasible.
The committee suggested the fourth session of the 14th NPC approve the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan.
The committee agreed that the implementation of the 2025 plan for national economic and social development was generally good. The 2026 plan proposed by the State Council is in line with the guiding principles from the 20th National Congress of the CPC and the plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, conforms to the guidelines of Central Economic Work Conference and aligns with the goals of the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Its main objectives, key tasks, and major projects are in accordance with the status quo of economic and social development in China. The 2026 plan is therefore feasible on the whole.
The committee suggested the fourth session of the 14th NPC approve the Report on the Implementation of the Plan for National Economic and Social Development in 2025 and the Draft Plan for National Economic and Social Development in 2026, and approve the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2026.
The committee also agreed that the execution of budgets for 2025 was good in general. The reports and drafts on central and local budgets for 2026, proposed by the State Council, conform to the guiding principles from the CPC’s 20th National Congress and the plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, align with the guidelines of Central Economic Work Conference, and are compatible with the expected targets for annual economic and social development and the overall requirements for macro-control. Main revenue and expenditure policies are basically coordinated and matched. A careful analysis has been conducted on existing difficulties and challenges, and corresponding arrangements have been made to ensure the work is carried out effectively, which complies with the provisions of the Budget Law. Therefore, the draft budgets for 2026 are feasible.
The committee suggested the fourth session of the 14th NPC approve the Report on the Implementation of the Central and Local Budgets in 2025 and the Draft Central and Local Budgets in 2026, approve the draft central budget for 2026, and also approve the general debt ceiling and special debt ceiling for local governments for 2026.
NPC committee reviews draft outline of 15th Five-Year Plan, reports, drafts on budgets, economic, social development plans
