WPS: PH upbeat on progress in South China Sea code of conduct talks

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Philippines is “very encouraged” by the progress of negotiations for a South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) between Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member states and China, according to Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asean Affairs and Asean 2026 spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial.

At a briefing, he also said there is a commitment to hold frequent meetings to discuss the matter.

“What I can share with you on the negotiations is we are encouraged  by the progress that we’re seeing. Also very encouraged by the commitment of all parties,” Imperial said when asked for an update on the negotiations.

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He further 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 here 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.”

He said more meetings are expected to happen “in a couple of weeks from now.”

In January this year, Chinese Ambassador to Manila Jing Quan said Beijing is banking on the Philippines in concluding the COC negotiations that began only in 2018. 

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That’s nearly 2 decades years after the two parties signed a 2002 declaration to adopt a binding framework that will ensure peace and stability in the highly contested waterway. /dl