Philippine diplomats raise concerns over China’s actions in South China Sea during COC talks

On Monday, April 14, Philippine diplomats raised concerns over recent aggressive actions by China in the South China Sea during ASEAN-China Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations held from April 9 to 11 in Manila.

Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo emphasized that incidents like those involving the Chinese Coast Guard and Philippine vessels underscore the necessity for a formal COC, as highlighted during recent talks.

The Department of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and stressed China's infringement on Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights during maritime encounters.

Negotiations focused on tackling milestone issues of the Draft COC, including geographic scope, relationship with the older DOC, and legal binding status, aiming for a substantive agreement by 2026.

Several ASEAN countries, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brunei, share claims over the resource-rich South China Sea, a critical maritime route for global trade.

The Philippines remains at the forefront of efforts to challenge Beijing's expansive claims through joint sails with Western nations and strengthening security alliances with regional partners like Australia and Japan.