ASEAN Heading Into Tense New Era as Philippines Takes the Helm

Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (R) is given the ceremonial gavel by Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (L) during the ASEAN summit closing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on October 28, 2025. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)

The Philippines became the new chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this week, taking over from Malaysia. The shift marks a new phase that could see the 11-member body become more embroiled in U.S.-China geopolitics.

Manila is expected to focus heavily on concluding an ASEAN Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, which has languished for years and is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The code is supposed to manage maritime relations amid competing regional claims between China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia.

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by CGSP Staff

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