VIENTIANE, Laos. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pressed for urgency at a regional summit on Thursday, calling on Southeast Asian leaders and China to accelerate the long-delayed negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea. Speaking at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang present, Marcos stressed the need for substantive progress to manage ongoing disputes and reduce tensions in the region.
“There should be more urgency in the pace of the negotiations of the ASEAN-China code of conduct,” Marcos stated, expressing frustration over the continued deadlock. He noted the persistent “harassment and intimidation” from China’s actions in disputed waters. “It is regrettable that the overall situation in the South China Sea remains tense and unchanged. We continue to be subjected to harassment and intimidation,” Marcos said, according to a statement from his office.
Ongoing Tensions with China
The Philippines and China have repeatedly clashed over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The Philippine government has accused China’s coast guard of aggressive actions, while Beijing has labeled Manila’s activities as provocative incursions into its claimed territory. These disputes have raised concerns about a potential escalation involving the United States, given its 1951 defense treaty with the Philippines, which could obligate U.S. involvement if the Philippines is attacked.
China, citing historical maps, claims nearly the entire South China Sea. It has deployed its coast guard deep into Southeast Asia, including the exclusive economic zones of several ASEAN countries, such as Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Slow Progress on the Code of Conduct
Efforts to establish a binding maritime code have been sluggish since they began in 2017, despite initial agreement between China and ASEAN in 2002. Years of discussions over the framework and negotiation guidelines have led to little progress. Some ASEAN members remain skeptical about whether the final code will be legally binding.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn remarked that negotiations are ongoing, stating, “It’s not static, it’s not standstill.”
Marcos, however, voiced frustration that the parties involved could not reach consensus on basic terms, such as “self-restraint.” He said, “The definition of a concept as basic as ‘self-restraint’ does not yet enjoy consensus.”
China’s Response
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to the remarks, reaffirming China’s commitment to the code negotiations but also defending its territorial claims. “China firmly opposes any infringement and provocation, and firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Mao said in a briefing.
Regional and Global Involvement
The ASEAN summit in Laos brought together several global leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The summit sets the stage for Friday’s East Asia Summit plenary gathering.
The summit also saw bilateral meetings aimed at fostering security and economic ties, particularly between South Korea and Japan. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan’s Ishiba held their first summit, focusing on improving relations and enhancing trilateral security cooperation with Washington.
Broader Cooperation and Supply Chain Resilience
During the summit, South Korea and ASEAN formalized a comprehensive strategic partnership, with President Yoon noting plans for defense industry cooperation and enhancing ASEAN’s cybersecurity capabilities.
ASEAN leaders also agreed to upgrade the ASEAN-China free trade area, including provisions for customs, supply chain connectivity, competition, consumer protection, and reducing non-tariff barriers. They committed to improving the region’s supply chain resilience, innovation, and competitiveness.
Myanmar Crisis and ASEAN’s Peace Efforts
Discussions at the summit also touched on the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, which has challenged ASEAN’s unity and credibility. The leaders urged all parties in Myanmar to halt violence against civilians and backed efforts to find a peaceful solution, including collaborating with neighboring states and the United Nations to address issues like narcotics and crime.
Marcos acknowledged the limited success of ASEAN’s peace process, known as the “Five-Point Consensus,” and said the bloc was exploring new strategies to address the crisis. “We have to admit… we have not been very successful in actually improving the situation,” Marcos told reporters.
As the summit progresses, the calls for stronger cooperation on both regional security and economic resilience remain at the forefront, with leaders striving to navigate complex geopolitical challenges in Southeast Asia.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
