ASEAN 'encouraged by the progress' of SCS Code of Conduct, spokesman says

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is seeing good developments regarding negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea, ASEAN 2026 spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial said Wednesday.

In a press briefing for the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, Imperial said discussions regarding the COC are still ongoing, and member states expect another meeting about the matter in the next few weeks.

"The discussions and the negotiations of the South China Sea, rather, the COC, while it is ASEAN-related, it is a separate negotiation by itself," said Imperial, who also serves as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) deputy assistant secretary for ASEAN affairs.

"What I can share with you on the negotiations is we are encouraged by the progress that we're seeing. Also, we're very encouraged by the commitment of all parties. So this is the 10 ASEAN countries and China sitting down together," he added.

The proposed Code of Conduct aims to set some rules to prevent the intensifying disputes in the South China Sea from worsening into an armed conflict that could involve the United States—a treaty ally of the Philippines—and other Asian countries at odds with China.

The negotiations, however, have suffered delays and have dragged on for more than a decade.

In its bid to deliver a COC by its 2026 target, the Philippines has increased the frequency of talks between ASEAN and China, holding monthly in-person and virtual meetings.

The Philippines is the Chair of ASEAN in 2026.

Imperial recalled that during a previous meeting, there was a mention of commitment from concerned parties for more frequent meetings about the COC.

"Those frequent meetings are still happening. So, we are also very encouraged about what's happening there," he said.

The DFA earlier said the code of conduct being negotiated by Southeast Asian states with China "should not diminish the rights and interests of third party states" in the disputed South China Sea. — VDV, GMA News