Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo said it was time to start thrashing out the meatier, trickier aspects of a protracted code of conduct for the South China Sea. - PHOTO: REUTERS
LANGKAWI, Malaysia (Reuters): The regional bloc Asean and China should make headway on a protracted code of conduct for the South China Sea by tackling thorny "milestone issues", including its scope and if it can be legally binding, the Philippines' top diplomat said on Saturday.
The South China Sea remains a source of tension between China and neighbours the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, with ties between Beijing and US ally Manila at their worst in years amid frequent confrontations that have sparked concerns they could spiral into conflict.
