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ASEAN, China reach provisional agreement on 80% of South China Sea code, says Philippines
ASEAN and China have provisionally agreed on about 80 per cent of the text for a proposed South China Sea Code of Conduct, but negotiations remain unfinished. The code is intended to help manage tensions at sea, and the delay means the Philippines will not meet its goal of concluding talks by the end of 2026.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro said differing positions and the time needed for negotiations had held up completion, though she estimated another five to six months could be enough. This year, the Philippines oversaw nine negotiating rounds and two senior officials’ meetings; Singapore will take over ASEAN’s chairmanship in 2027. The proposed code would build on the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties and provide for practical cooperation and managing differences, rather than resolve territorial claims.
In short
- ASEAN and China have agreed on about 80 per cent of the proposed code’s text.
- Negotiations are expected to continue into 2027 under Singapore’s chairmanship.
- The code would guide cooperation and manage maritime differences, not settle claims.
Explained simply
The South China Sea is a major shipping route where several countries, including China and some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have overlapping territorial claims. Disputes over control of islands and waters have contributed to tensions and encounters between vessels.
ASEAN and China have been discussing a Code of Conduct to guide how countries act and cooperate at sea. It would build on a 2002 declaration and set ways to manage differences, rather than decide who owns the disputed territory.
The Philippines is an ASEAN member and has led this year’s talks, while China is negotiating with the bloc. The proposed code matters because it could provide shared rules for handling incidents and reducing the risk of tensions escalating.