DFA welcomes completion of framework for code of conduct in South China Sea

The Department of Foreign Affairs welcomed the completion of the framework for the code of conduct in the South China Sea, a report on Unang Balita on Friday said.

"The Philippines welcomes the finalization by ASEAN and China senior officials of the draft of the framework of the Code of Conduct," the DFA said in a statement.

"The draft framework, which was completed ahead of the mid-2017 goal set by the Leaders of ASEAN and China, contains elements which the parties have agreed upon," it added.

DFA spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said the Philippines will continue to cooperate in the drafting of the code of conduct.

"The Philippines reaffirms its commitment to working towards an effective Code of Conduct for the South China Sea," the DFA statement said.

On Thursday, China and Southeast Asian countries agreed to a framework for the said code of conduct, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

No details have yet been given regarding the meeting between Chinese and ASEAN officials in the Chinese city of Guiyang, but China's foreign ministry said the talks were candid and made deep positive achievements.

At the meeting, China and the countries with territorial claims in the South China Sea agreed to focus on addressing the tension among them, as well as deepening maritime cooperation and promoting dialogue to attain regional peace.

The framework is expected to be approved before ASEAN foreign ministers meet in the Philippines in August.

"The draft framework will be presented to the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and China at their Post-Ministerial Conference in Manila in August 2017 for their consideration," the DFA statement read. —With a report from Michaela del Callar/KG, GMA News