Boao Forum: Delay in code of conduct adds to uncertainty in South China Sea: panellists

Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea but there are competing claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. - Reuters

BOAO, Hainan (The Straits Times/ANN): The continued delay in finalising a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, will lead to prolonged uncertainty in the area, former diplomats and academics said at a panel discussion on Tuesday (April 20).

With no other dependable platform at the moment to resolve issues, this could very easily escalate into military competition if near misses continue around disputed territories.