Philippines courties rivals to craft code on South China Sea

• Philippines courties rivals to craft code on South China Sea.
• Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress in reaching a broader.
• China acknowledged the importance of formulating a code of conduct.

The Philippines has engaged in discussions with neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam to explore the possibility of establishing a separate code of conduct for the South China Sea.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress in reaching a broader regional agreement with China and emphasized the need to collaborate with allies and neighbors amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

Marcos mentioned approaching nations with existing territorial conflicts, including Vietnam and Malaysia, to formulate their code of conduct, expressing hope that this initiative would extend to other ASEAN countries.

China, Malaysia, and Vietnam’s embassies in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the proposed code.

China acknowledged the importance of formulating a code of conduct in the South China Sea but warned against any move deviating from the framework and spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the region.

The remarks by Marcos followed his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they discussed ways to reduce tension in the disputed waters.

Efforts to establish a code of conduct between ASEAN and China have faced challenges and slow progress despite commitments from all parties.

Talks on specific components of the code are yet to begin, with concerns about China’s commitment to a binding set of rules aligned with international law.

China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, marked by the “nine-dash line,” have led to on-off confrontations with neighboring countries, including the Philippines.

The Philippines has sought support from the United States, emphasizing that the U.S. has been supportive not only in rhetoric but also in concrete assistance.

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