毛宁10月26日，落实《南海各方行为宣言》第21次高官会在北京举行。中国和东盟国家就南海形势、全面有效落实《宣言》、海上务实合作以及“南海行为准则”磋商等议题深入交换意见。各方都认为，维护南海和平稳定具有重要意义，呼吁保持克制，加强对话，妥处分歧，维护海上局势稳定。各方一致同意继续全面有效落实《宣言》，深化海洋科研、海洋环保、海上搜救、海上执法等领域的务实合作。会上，中国和东盟国家宣布正式启动“准则”案文三读，同意加快推进“准则”磋商，争取早日达成有效、富有实质内容、符合国际法的“准则”，将南海建设成为和平、友谊、合作之海。

Mao Ning On October 26, the 21st Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC was held in Beijing. China and ASEAN countries had an in-depth exchange of views on the situation of the South China Sea, full and effective implementation of the DOC, and practical maritime cooperation and consultations on a COC. Parties were of the view that upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea is of vital importance and called on all sides to exercise restraint, strengthen exchanges, and handle differences appropriately, so as to safeguard maritime stability. They agreed to continue to fully implement the DOC in an effective way, and deepen practical cooperation in such fields as marine scientific research, environmental protection, search and rescue operation at sea and maritime law enforcement activities. China and ASEAN countries at the meeting announced to start the third reading of the single negotiating draft text of the COC, and agreed to accelerate negotiations so as to strive to reach at an early date an effective and substantive COC that is consistent with international law and build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.