Manila to Push South China Sea Code in 2026 ASEAN Chair Role

ASEAN and China move to advance a South China Sea Code of Conduct ahead of the Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship, key disputes still hanging.
An aerial view of the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in February 2025. ASEAN and China move to advance a South China Sea Code of Conduct ahead of the Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship, key disputes still hanging. (Photo by Jam STA ROSA / AFP)

China and Southeast Asian governments are preparing for another round of talks on a South China Sea Code of Conduct, and the Philippines says it hopes to complete the document when it chairs ASEAN next year.

The South China Sea is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, and overlapping claims have made coordination difficult.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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