Marcos urges ASEAN to fast-track code of conduct in South China Sea

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday asked his fellow Southeast Asian leaders to adopt a legally binding code of conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea, warning that rising sea tensions and uncertainty threaten hard-won regional gains.

- By Chloe Mari A. Hufana Reporter

Speaking at the 46^th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit plenary in Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Marcos said the code, which has languished in negotiations for over two decades, should be finalized amid growing risks of miscalculation in contested waters.

"We underscore the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of a legally binding code of conduct to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability and prevent miscalculations at sea," he said.

As Southeast Asia grapples with rising geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and the intensifying impact of climate change, Mr. Marcos also urged fellow leaders to embrace inclusive development and accelerate climate action.

He said inclusivity should be the foundation of sustainable growth, adding that ASEAN should boost cooperation to withstand economic and environmental shocks.

"In this increasingly interconnected world, we find ourselves, and our gains, at risk when our current stability is challenged," he said.

The South China Sea remains one of the region's most volatile flashpoints, with overlapping sea claims from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan.

While ASEAN and China agreed on a Declaration of Conduct in 2002, progress toward a binding framework has been repeatedly delayed by legal, political and strategic differences.