BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang returned to Beijing on Thursday after an official visit to the Philippines.

During his stay in Manila, Li also attended the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting, the 20th ASEAN-China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting, and the 12th East Asia Summit.

When attending the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting, Li announced the two sides will start consultations on the text of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, which is considered the most crucial part of the process.