Philippines and China intensify Code of Conduct talks amid SCS tensions

THE Philippines and China have stepped up discussions to finalize a Code of Conduct (CoC) for the South China Sea (SCS), Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan said on Tuesday, as Manila assumes the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.

“Both sides hope to accelerate negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” he said in a speech delivered in Manila. “Consultations are becoming more frequent and more intensive.”

The CoC, first pledged in 2002, aims to manage disputes in the strategically critical waters, which serve as a corridor for trillions of dollars in annual trade.

But progress has been slow, with legal, political and strategic differences among ASEAN members and China repeatedly delaying the process. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for the first quarter.

Mr. Jing cited the importance of keeping communication channels open and avoiding actions that could escalate tensions while a legally binding framework is being drafted.

“Even if we cannot reach a solution quickly, it’s essential for us to keep communication channels open, refrain from provocative or confrontational actions and prevent tensions from escalating,” he said.

Diplomats on both sides have already reached preliminary consensus on a roadmap for the next stage of dialogue and negotiation, he added.

The South China Sea remains one of the region’s most volatile flashpoints. China has expanded its presence despite a 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal that voided its sweeping claims over the waters.

The dispute involves overlapping claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan.

Mr. Jing also called for a measured diplomatic approach, underscoring the long-term importance of managing differences.

“There are maritime disputes between China and the Philippines, which in recent years have become more pronounced,” he said. “I believe that China and the Philippines have the ability and wisdom to properly manage our differences.”

Chester B. Cabalza, founding president of think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said the renewed dialogue indicates a “more mature and responsible” approach to bilateral relations.

“If this is the diplomatic track that Beijing wants to pursue with Manila, we will see stronger, more stable ties moving forward,” he said via Facebook Messenger.

However, China has maintained nonnegotiable claims in the South China Sea and resists any CoC provisions that might weaken its control or invite international oversight, analysts said.

Beijing’s proactive engagement in finalizing the CoC would be in its interest, said Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a lecturer on diplomacy at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.

Finalizing a legally binding Code of Conduct would not only ensure regional stability but also improve China’s perception among ASEAN countries, he said.

“Consensus decision-making, a key parcel of the ASEAN Way, is still the process through which the bloc will be able to achieve the final agreement, which takes time,” Mr. Cortez said.

The Philippines has sought to accelerate CoC negotiations as ASEAN chairman to strengthen its diplomatic influence and enhance regional security.

Manila has been advocating for a framework that balances China’s interests with those of smaller claimants, providing legally binding rules for maritime conduct, dispute resolution and conflict prevention.

Beijing and Manila have clashed repeatedly in recent years in contested waters. Chinese Coast Guard vessels have fired water cannons at Philippine fishing boats, and such incidents underscore the high stakes of reaching a CoC that both sides can respect.

Mr. Jing stressed that pending a final agreement, both nations must avoid provocative actions. — Adrian H. Halili