PHNOM PENH, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials from China and southeast Asian countries met here Sunday in preparation for an upcoming meeting of their foreign ministers.

During the meeting, attended by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying, the participants from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) underlined their commitment to continued implementation of a declaration over South China Sea reached in 2002 between the two sides.

They agreed to carry out "the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in South China Sea" (DOC) in a comprehensive and effective manner as well as cooperation projects under the DOC framework with the purpose of upholding peace and stability in South China Sea.

The Chinese and ASEAN officials also held informal discussions on how to jointly formulate a code of conduct in South China Sea.