BEIJING -- China on Tuesday said it always values and follows the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in South China Sea (DOC) for peace and stability in the region.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu made the remarks at a press briefing when responding to a journalist's question.

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Jiang said China always seriously follows the declaration in efforts to promote cooperation on the South China Sea, create favorable conditions for a final solution to relevant bilateral disputes, and jointly safeguard peace and stability of the region.

A joint working group between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) began its fifth meeting on the implementation of the DOC in southwest China's Kunming City Tuesday. The meeting is scheduled to end on December 23.

Jiang said China hoped that consensus on the implementation of the DOC could be reached.

The DOC was signed in 2002 as a guideline for conducts of all parties involved in the South China Sea issue among China and the ASEAN countries.

The joint working group held its first meeting in Manila in 2005.