Pact on South China Sea code of conduct unlikely, as ASEAN leaders gather
Summary
ASEAN and China are unlikely to finalize a South China Sea code of conduct at the bloc’s leaders’ gathering in Manila. Negotiators have completed about 80 percent of the draft, but disputes over key issues remain amid rising tensions between China and the Philippines.Key Facts
- ASEAN and China have negotiated a proposed South China Sea code of conduct for more than 20 years.
- In 2023, ASEAN foreign ministers set a goal of finalizing the agreement within three years.
- The Philippines chaired ASEAN in 2026, and its foreign ministry said negotiators met at least monthly.
- Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro said about 80 percent of the draft was complete.
- The geographic scope of the agreement remains a contentious issue.
- China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia have overlapping claims.
- A 2016 international ruling invalidated China’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea.
- China and the Philippines have had repeated maritime confrontations, including water-cannon incidents and collisions.
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