KUALA LUMPUR: The Philippines will continue pushing for the conclusion of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea when it hosts the Asean Summit next year, says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Well, we have been pushing for that even not as a host (of Asean), but we will continue to do that,” he told reporters after attending the 28th Asean Plus Three Summit here yesterday.
He said the issue of South China Sea was discussed, among a slew of other issues such as strengthening supply chains between Asean and China, Japan and South Korea.
“We did not discuss the South China Sea specifically. What we did discuss were efforts we have to make to integrate all Asean nations with the other three nations (China, Japan and South Korea).
“This is to build up our supply lines, training and people-to-people exchanges,” he said.
Marcos also expressed gratitude to Asean members who contributed to the emergency rice reserve.
“These are the things to strengthen the relationship between the three countries and Asean. I think we found some very specific and concrete ways that we can do that,” he added.
The Philippines Foreign Ministry said recently that Manila hoped to conclude the COC when it hosts the Asean Summit next year.
The proposed COC builds on the 2002 Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea, where several states are locked in a maritime dispute.
In March, it was reported that the second reading of the COC was completed and was now into its third reading.
The South China Sea has been a contentious issue in the region after China claims nearly its entirety, despite overlapping maritime claims by Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei.
Malaysia will hand over the Asean chairmanship baton to Marcos during the close of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits here today.
