Talks on South China Sea code of conduct to resume in PH next month – DFA chief

 From CNN Philippines (Jul 14, 2023): Talks on South China Sea code of conduct to resume in PH next month – DFA chief (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 14) — Negotiations among Southeast Asian countries and China on a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea are expected to resume in Manila next month, said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

In an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference in Indonesia on Thursday, Manalo welcomed the completion of the second reading of the COC Single Draft Negotiating Text and said the Philippines looks forward to continuing talks on the document in August.

Top diplomats of the 10-member regional bloc and of China attended the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference 10+1 Session.

Manalo called for strengthened cooperation between the Southeast Asian countries and Beijing in various areas, adding that all sides “must ensure that our gains are not undercut by threats to regional peace, security and stability, as well as major power rivalries.”

“Regarding developments in the South China Sea, we call for the effective management and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law,” he said.

ASEAN and China also released a joint statement on Thursday reaffirming their commitment to speed up talks on the long-delayed COC.

The Associated Press reported that both parties have resolved to try to conclude the nonaggression pact within three years, citing a Southeast Asian diplomat who asked not to be named and a copy of the guidelines agreed on.

Beijing claims virtually the entire South China Sea, where trillions of dollars of international trade pass through annually. Four ASEAN member-states — Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei — as well as Taiwan also have claims in the waterway.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/14/south-china-sea-code-of-conduct-talks-manila.html