Cambodian deputy PM urges outsiders to avoid "provocation" over South China Sea issue

PHNOM PENH, Oct 5 (Xinhua): Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong has called on outsiders to avoid "provocation" over the South China Sea issue, saying that any disputes should be peacefully settled by parties directly concerned.

Noting that through many years of serious negotiations, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) and China are now working on the draft of the Code of Conduct (COC) to boost cooperation between parties directly concerned to deal with the relevant disputes, Namhong told Xinhua that countries outside the region should encourage Aseanand China to reach the COC.