The Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea has been a work in progress among the eleven-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China through the years.
All 12 countries are very much interested in having this historic piece of document finalized, in order to minimize the occurrence of confrontation and near-violent incidents in that important body of water in the region.
The Philippines, which is the chair of Asean this year, carries the burden of hastening the process of discussions and negotiations, and the needed effort is being exerted by our Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
We note with some degree of hope the information relayed by DFA’s Dominic Xavier Imperial, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asean Affairs and Asean 2026 spokesperson. He said that the Philippines is “very encouraged” by the progress of negotiations for the South China Sea Code of Conduct.
Imperial noted the commitment of all parties in the negotiations.
He said, “We are very encouraged by the commitment indicated and mentioned back in January when our secretary of foreign affairs chaired the AMM (Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat) Retreat in Cebu; there was a mention of commitment for more frequent meetings, so those frequent meetings are still happening, so we are also very encouraged about what’s happening there.”
It must be cited that China has been cooperative and sincere in having the COC with Asean finalized.
Guio Wei, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy, noted that “the Philippine side has publicly acknowledged more than once that China and the Philippines should properly manage the disputes in the South China Sea. As early as August 1995, China and the Philippines issued the “Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of the Philippines concerning Consultations on the South China Sea and on Other Areas of Cooperation” in which they agreed that “[d]isputes shall be settled by the countries directly concerned" and that "a gradual and progressive process of cooperation shall be adopted with a view to eventually negotiating a settlement of the bilateral disputes.”
The reason why the COC was delayed for almost two decades is that Filipino officials working for the interest of the United States have pushed for a policy that any Code of Conduct in the South China Sea should involve the third Western country which is outside the region purportedly to ensure freedom of navigation for them. This is the position of former DFA secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. which hampered the talks.
The incessant noises created by Jay Tarriela, Antonio Carpio, Akbayan, Atin Ito Coalition and other members of the West Philippine Sea cabal also contributed to the delay.
Chinese Ambassador to Manila Jing Quan said Beijing is banking on the Philippines in concluding the COC negotiations that began only in 2018.
That’s 16 years after the two parties signed a 2002 declaration to adopt a binding framework that will ensure peace and stability in the SCS. We hope to do it right this time.
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