Philippines Optimistic for South China Sea Code of Conduct Finalization This Year

The Philippine government is optimistic that negotiations for the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) between ASEAN and China will be finalized this year, as the Philippines is hosting its largest ASEAN-related event in November, the Leaders summit. During the ASEAN Business Media Exchange 2026, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim stated that every member of the regional bloc is “on board,” including ASEAN partner countries who are deeply involved in the long-awaited conclusion of the COC negotiations that have been ongoing between China and ASEAN for more than 20 years. “This is unprecedented. It's never happened during the past few years. We're hopeful that this is one of the deliverables for this year: substantial completion of the negotiations on the Code of Conduct. And the entire ASEAN is on board,” he said. Herrera-Lim added that "even China" is on board. “So we're guardedly optimistic that we will deliver on the promise on the Code of Conduct.” The COC is an agreement that, when approved, is expected to establish clear rules in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. However, years of negotiations have been stalled due to unresolved issues, including whether the COC should be “legally binding” and other key parameters that the Philippines considers important, such as the recognition of the 2016 Arbitral Award, which Beijing has repeatedly rejected. With the aim of making significant progress in the negotiations on the Code of Conduct, Herrera-Lim said, one of the most significant developments for the ASEAN chairmanship is the Manila Plan of Action. “The process for the ASEAN Chairship, the high note would be the Manila Plan of Action that will be approved this year under ARF, the ASEAN Maritime Center that will be established in the Philippines.” The ARF Manila Plan of Action is a decade-long strategic framework established by the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to steer regional political and security collaboration throughout the Indo-Pacific. — BM, GMA News