Marcos calls for legally binding South China Sea Code of Conduct

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his speech at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sunday, May 25, 2025, before his departure for Kuala Lumpur to take part in the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit. INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday highlighted the need to hasten the adoption of a legally binding code of conduct to prevent a major conflict in the disputed South China Sea.

Marcos made the call in his intervention during the plenary session of the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summits here, where he joined other state leaders in tackling issues of mutual concern to the regional bloc.

“We underscore the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea,” Marcos said. “This is to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea.”

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Marcos would push for the finalization of a code of conduct on the South China Sea to prevent a major conflict in the disputed waterway.

The Philippines is eying the completion of the code of conduct by 2026 when it hosts the Asean Summits in Manila.

Marcos also pressed the Asean to work collectively in addressing challenges such as geopolitical tensions, unexpected trade barriers, and climate change—and to transform these into opportunities for shared growth and regional stability.

“Geopolitical tensions, unexpected trade barriers, and the unprecedented impact of climate change have the potential to disrupt our communities, supply chains, and remove our hard-earned progress,” Marcos said.

“Yet by working together, strengthening our institutions, and building the resilience and capacities of our people, we can better navigate this increasingly uncertain future and turn challenges into opportunities for shared growth and stability,” he added./mcm