Jamaine Punzalan

Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177035780397820240516-atin-ito-wps-MT-52.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>The Philippines said on Friday it will seek to accelerate long‑running talks on a South China Sea code of conduct to a conclusion this year as chair of the ASEAN regional bloc.</p><p>Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro told a forum in Singapore that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China will increase the pace of working group meetings to monthly gatherings from the current three‑month intervals.</p><p>The code has been under discussion for years, but the talks have stalled repeatedly over disagreements on its scope, enforcement and legal status.</p><p>Four ASEAN members -- Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam -- have laid partial claims to the South China Sea.</p><p>China claims the crucial waterway almost in its entirety despite an international ruling that its stance has no legal basis.</p><p>Beijing and Manila have had a series of confrontations in the sea in recent years, including collisions and Chinese ships using water cannons on Filipino vessels.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/28/negotiations-on-s-china-sea-code-of-conduct-unlikely-to-finish-this-2026-analyst-1523">Negotiations on South China Sea code of conduct unlikely to finish this 2026—analyst</a></div><p>Lazaro said there will also be additional meetings between senior officials under the new schedule.</p><p>She told the forum organised by a Singapore-based think tank that the goal was to produce a code that is &quot;effective and substantive&quot; and in line with international law.</p><p>&quot;This year, we will endeavour to conclude the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,&quot; Lazaro said, in line with a mandate agreed by ASEAN foreign ministers in 2023.</p><p>&quot;I have to emphasise the word &#x27;endeavour&#x27; to finish. As I said, I&#x27;m an optimist and also a pragmatist because we really don&#x27;t know how things will work.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/4/tarriela-warns-vs-backing-china-s-claims-in-west-ph-sea-calls-it-treason-1547">&#x27;You are considered a traitor&#x27;: Tarriela warns vs backing China’s claims in West PH Sea</a></div><p>The Philippines took over as chair of the 11‑nation bloc from Malaysia in January.</p><p>Lazaro said momentum in the talks has improved, with several ASEAN member states recently submitting documents and proposals to guide the next stage of discussions.</p><p>She said some of the most contentious issues included whether the code should be legally binding, the geographical scope covered by the agreement and the definition of terms such as &quot;self‑restraint&quot;.</p><p>&quot;ASEAN and China have heavily invested in negotiating this code of conduct,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;It is... about time to finish.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/3/more-chinese-naval-coast-guard-ships-spotted-in-wps-in-past-week-ph-navy-1615">More Chinese naval, coast guard ships spotted in WPS in past week–PH Navy</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong><iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Olv9i-qdG_o" title="Tarriela warns vs backing China&#x27;s claims in West PH Sea | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lSOUH270Zsw" title="Pangilinan, Marcoleta nagdebate sa sukat, lawak ng West Philippine Sea | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Philippines said on Friday it will seek to accelerate long‑running talks on a South China Sea code of conduct to a conclusion this year as chair of the ASEAN regional bloc.</p>

The Philippines said on Friday it will seek to accelerate long‑running talks on a South China Sea code of conduct to a conclusion this year as chair of the ASEAN regional bloc.

Philippines aims to wrap up talks on South China Sea code this year

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Philippines aims to wrap up talks on South China Sea code this year

Agence France-Presse

Published February 06, 2026 02:07 PM PHT

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China

Philippines

South China Sea

West Philippine Sea

Code of Conduct

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