Esperon 'positive' South China Sea Code of Conduct will be signed next year

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Wednesday expressed confidence that the Code of Conduct between Southeast Asian nations and China could be signed in 2021.

At a virtual press briefing, Esperon ensured that discussions about it are ongoing.

"We are moving towards the Code of Conduct in our talks with China and the ASEAN side is led by no less than the Philippines," Esperon said.

"We have already a single draft on the agreements and we still hope that by 2021, we could reach the final... We could sign the final agreement in the Code of Conduct and this will govern in more orderly and more peaceful, more inclusive activities in the South China Sea. We are very positive about it, the talks are ongoing..." he added.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China have agreed to a single draft of the Code of Conduct or COC, with an agreement reached in November 2018 for both sides to finalize the document within three years, beginning from 2019.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. urged for the resumption of negotiations on the Code of Conduct, which has been hampered due to the threat of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said it is imperative to return to the negotiating table to show to other nations that "we are sincerely committed and determined to arrive at a conclusive result, one way or the other; but we must get down to sincere and serious work."

Some ASEAN countries said the Code of Conduct should be legally-binding, which is vehemently opposed by China. Meanwhile, other ASEAN members have expressed support to Chinese preference.—AOL, GMA News