China's foreign minister Wang Yi has met his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi in Jakarta. They discussed the South China Sea, where Beijing has territorial disputes with Indonesia and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Wang is on a tour of the Asia-Pacific, including Indonesia.

In their meeting on Thursday, Retno said, "Stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific can only come if all parties respect international law."

Wang said, "We are willing to continue working with ASEAN nations to build the South China Sea into a place of peace and cooperation."

Wang stressed Beijing's willingness to accelerate talks on creating a Code of Conduct aimed at avoiding maritime conflicts. Discussions have been slow for years.

Still, the two foreign ministers also agreed to strengthen bilateral ties through economic cooperation.

Wang's tour comes after the leaders of the United States, Japan and the Philippines held a summit last week in Washington. They agreed to strengthen maritime security cooperation in light of a series of recent clashes between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.

Tensions in the strategically important waterway are soaring as a result. And observers say China could now be attempting to drive a wedge between the Philippines and other ASEAN members.

Wang is scheduled to visit Cambodia next.