Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. stated on Monday (October 14) that despite Manila’s desire for dialogue on the South China Sea issue, the Philippines remains skeptical of China’s true intentions in the negotiations of the Regional Code of Conduct (COC).
Recently, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made his strongest call yet at the ASEAN summit, urging China to expedite the long-delayed development of the “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea” to ease tensions in the region. He condemned Beijing’s threats and provocations, warning that economic cooperation alone cannot address the security concerns in the area.
Teodoro expressed doubt about Beijing’s sincerity in the negotiations, even though President Marcos approved “constructive discussions” with China on the long-delayed code of conduct.
Reuters reported Teodoro as saying, “To be honest, I do not see the sincerity (from China) now.”
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comments.
According to Reuters, at the summit held in the Laotian capital on October 9, Marcos emphasized to ASEAN leaders and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang the need for tangible progress on the South China Sea issue. He stressed the importance of approaching disagreements with a “sincere and open” attitude to ease tensions.
In a statement from Marcos’ office during the meeting, he pointed out that the negotiations pace for the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct should be more urgent. He remarked, “It is regrettable that the overall situation in the South China Sea remains tense with no changes. We continue to face harassment and intimidation.”
Chinese authorities claim sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including the Exclusive Economic Zones of ASEAN member countries Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
The Hague’s International Tribunal ruled in 2016 that China’s expansive sovereignty claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis, a ruling that Beijing has refused to accept.
The “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea” is a binding agreement proposed between ASEAN and China to establish rules to regulate behavior in disputed waters, including commitments to avoid militarization, respect freedom of navigation, and peaceful dispute resolution. Negotiations on this agreement have been ongoing for decades.
On Sunday (October 13), after the ASEAN summit concluded, leaders in the joint statement urged China and ASEAN to promptly reach an agreement on the “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea” based on international law.
The South China Morning Post cited Chester Cabalza, chairman of the Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation Organization (IDSC), as saying that China has been using trade and investment as leverage to maintain silence from ASEAN countries on the South China Sea conflict, a strategy that “is no longer working” as Western developed countries actively seek investment in the region.
The United States has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to protect its Asian allies if the Philippines’ military forces, vessels, or aircraft are targeted by armed attacks from China.
Secretary of State Blinken pledged at the ASEAN meeting that the U.S. will continue to safeguard freedom and security in the important sea trade lanes of the South China Sea. He emphasized that the U.S. remains the largest foreign investor in the region and is committed to strengthening its partnership with ASEAN.