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MANILA, Nov. 15-- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday that China is willing to join regional countries in writing a new chapter for East Asian cooperation. In his speech at the 12th East Asia Summit held in the Philippine capital of Manila, Li urged East Asian countries to promote the building of an East Asian economic community. The summit was hosted by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, and attended by leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, as well as leaders from South Korea, Russia, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. MAINTAIN PEACE IN SOUTH CHINA SEA VIA DIALOGUES In the speech, Li noted that the situation in the South China Sea has been stabilizing and seen a positive momentum for development because of the joint efforts from China and the ASEAN countries. He hailed that the related countries in the South China Sea issue have returned to the right track of negotiations and consultations, and their relations had been constantly improved. Noting that China and ASEAN started the consultations on the text of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, Li said it fully represents the common will of regional countries that they should properly handle differences through dialogues and negotiations, and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. "It also shows the confidence, wisdom, and capacity of the regional countries to properly settle the South China Sea issue in order to make it a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation," said the Chinese premier. | 
