Jakarta, April 23 -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono expressed hope that the Code of Conduct (CoC) for the South China Sea can be completed and signed this year to avoid further delays in negotiations.

"We hope the CoC can be signed this year. We will find a way to prevent further delays," he said in a brief interview in Jakarta on Thursday.

Last March, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Wang Qing said China has strong political will to complete the CoC this year.

According to him, the commitment was also reaffirmed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi following China's annual political meeting known as the "Two Sessions."

Wang said the CoC would serve as a foundation to resolve maritime disputes and create a new narrative of the South Ch...