DFA: 80% of South China Sea Code of Conduct completed, salient issues remain

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Southeast Asian nations and China have completed negotiations on 80% of the proposed Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea ahead of next week's ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday.

At a news conference in Pasay City, DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said significant progress had been made in the COC negotiations under the Philippines' ASEAN chairship.

"Since our chairship, a lot has been, the progress of the Code of Conduct is really hastened and there might just be a definitive possibility, but definitely a statement will be released," Lazaro said.

"Let's give it a little bit more time, as this is still subject of discussions. But I just want to say, at this point of time, 80% of the paragraphs, the paper itself, the document itself is finished. So, there will be just some salient points," she added.

The proposed code seeks to establish rules to prevent disputes in the South China Sea from spiraling out of control and developing into a major armed conflict that could involve the United States, a Philippine ally, and other countries in the region.

Lazaro earlier said ASEAN and China want to avoid a situation in the South China Sea similar to that in the Strait of Hormuz, which has prompted both sides to pursue negotiations on a Code of Conduct.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said it remains hopeful that the COC will be signed before the Philippines' ASEAN chairmanship ends.

"Bawat araw dapat may pag-asa (Every day should bring hope)," Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

"Sa ngayon, hindi rin natin masasabi kung talagang hindi ito magkakaroon ng konklusyon sa 49th ASEAN Summit dahil ang gusto pa rin ng Pangulo ay masapinal sa panahon na ang Pilipinas ang ASEAN chair," she added.

(At this point, we cannot say for certain that the issue will not be resolved during the 49th ASEAN Summit, as the President still wants it finalized while the Philippines holds the ASEAN chairship.)

Four ASEAN member states—Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei—are involved in the long-standing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, an important passageway for global trade and commerce. The other two claimants are China and Taiwan.

In August 2018, ASEAN and China agreed on a single draft of the COC. In November 2018, both sides agreed to finalize the document within three years, beginning in 2019. However, no final agreement has been reached since then. —VBL, GMA News