On April 23, 2016, when jointly meeting the press with Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith of Laos after their talks, Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed that China appreciates Laos' objective and fair stance on the South China Sea issue. The consensus reached by both parties is that we agree that disputes over some Nansha islands and reefs are not an issue between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and should not affect the development of China-ASEAN relations. The right enjoyed by sovereign states to choose on their own ways to solve disputes in accordance with the international law should be respected. Laos understands China's statement of optional exception in light of Article 298 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). All parties should support that territorial and maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully through friendly consultations and negotiations by parties directly concerned under Article 4 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), so as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.