China's foreign minister Wang Yi has said that China and ASEAN ministers have agreed that the dispute between China and the Philippines is a bilateral issue, and should not define relations between China and ASEAN. He made the comment following meetings with his ASEAN counterparts in the Laos capital of Vientiane.

VIENTIANE, July 25, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference after the meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister and the counterparts from 10 ASEAN members in Vientiane, Laos, July 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun)

"The ministers agree that the specific disputes over some islands or reefs in Nansha -- between China and ASEAN -- should not define relations between China and ASEAN. And specific issues should not be allowed to affect relations between China and ASEAN," he said.

"The ASEAN ministers have made it very clear they do not want to take sides on the arbitration case unilaterally initiated by the former government of the Philippines. They also agree that this is a bilateral issue between China and ASEAN." 

Foreign ministers of China and the ASEAN community signed a joint communique after a ministerial meeting.

The ministers emphasized the full and effective implementation of the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea".

They have reaffirmed their efforts to "promote peace, stability, mutual trust and confidence" in the South China Sea. They also urged all parties to work expeditiously for the early adoption of an effective Code of Conduct.