China's top diplomat has met with foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and said Beijing will continue to work towards an agreement on a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea.

Wang Yi held talks with his counterparts in Jakarta during a series of ASEAN meetings on Thursday.

Wang expressed Beijing's willingness to strengthen relations with ASEAN countries, as both China and the US try to increase their presence in the region.

He said in his opening remarks at the meeting that as the international situation is undergoing complex and profound changes, China wants to "cherish achievements of mutual cooperation with ASEAN."

Wang also mentioned Beijing wants to work towards an agreement on a South China Sea code of conduct "as soon as possible."

China and ASEAN countries have been negotiating the code for years. Some ASEAN members have territorial disputes with Beijing in the area, and are concerned about China's increasing maritime activities there.

Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has also met with his ASEAN counterparts.

Observers say Moscow aims to offset friction with western countries by strengthening its cooperation with ASEAN nations.

NATO and the Group of 7 nations are unified in support for Ukraine, but most ASEAN countries have not joined western sanctions on Russia for its invasion.

ASEAN will hold meetings through Friday.