China, ASEAN agree on draft framework for S China Sea code of

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took a step towards easing tensions in the South China Sea, state media reported today, agreeing to a framework for a "code of conduct" to prevent incidents in the disputed waters.

The competing claims to the sea, which is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits, have for decades made it one of Asia's potential military flashpoints.

The issue has come to a head in recent years as China has pursued a strategy of building artificial islands capable of supporting military facilities in the region, provoking strong reactions from other claimants as well as the US, which argues Beijing's actions threaten freedom of navigation and overflight through the strategically vital waters.

The framework, which was agreed upon during a meeting of senior officials from ASEAN and China in the country's southwestern province of Guizhou, sets the parameters for a final, more detailed agreement yet to come.

A draft of the text obtained by

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)