Asean member states and China have made a vital step toward completing a draft code of conduct to resolve sea disputes at a meeting in Bangkok.
Senior officials made progress on the pact during the 8th Asean-China summit on the issue, held yesterday and Tuesday.
China and Asean already have one agreement on the South China Sea — the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" (DOC). This recommended a code of conduct to resolve disputes, which officials are working on now.
Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Chinese vice-minister for Foreign Affairs Liu Zhen Min told reporters the Bangkok assembly had agreed on an initial set of principles to govern actions in the South China Sea.
As part of this, the countries have drawn up an initial list of "commonalities" to form the basis of further negotiations.
Mr Sihasak said the list of commonalities has identified common ground between nations involved in sea disputes. The commonalities will then be narrowed down to a second more detailed list, to inform work on developing the code.
Senior officials also agreed on a number of measures that can be implemented quickly, including the establishment of two hotlines to deal with maritime incidents.
"These are principles shared by all parties involved and based on international law as well as mutual interests," Mr Sihasak said.
"We have agreed on a first list of commonalities and are now working on the second list, which we want to be as inclusive as possible. It will require further discussion.
"We may have no commonalities over certain issues but we must continue working on them."
Mr Sihasak and Mr Liu said the two hotlines will be established with the aim of building mutual trust.
One line will connect search and rescue agencies in the South China Sea region to ensure close cooperation on accidents. The other, between Asean and Chinese ministers, will allow for direct contact in the event of any crisis.
Mr Sihasak earlier said that Vietnam and the Philippines have expressed concerns over China's territorial claims to disputed waters near those countries.
Both countries claim Chinese naval forces recently violated the 2002 DOC.
Critics say the DOC is toothless because it fails to outline punishments for countries that violate regulations.
Mr Liu praised the Bangkok meeting as "one of the most fruitful" since talks resumed last year. "The momentum is right," he added.
Both meeting leaders stressed the importance of Asean-China relations.
Mr Sihasak thanked China for setting up the China Asean Investment Cooperation Fund and making finance available for it. Mr Liu said the diverse partnership between China and Asean member countries will not be defined by South China Sea disputes.
Asean states that claim parts of the South China Sea include Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia.