Asean, China fail to conclude South China Sea code of conduct

The long-delayed South China Sea Code of Conduct negotiations between ASEAN and China failed to reach a conclusion during the Philippines' chairmanship, despite reaching a provisional agreement on approximately 80% of the draft document, according to Philippine Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro. The talks, which have been ongoing for over two decades, aim to establish a code that will govern maritime activities and prevent further escalation of tensions in the disputed region.

However, several key issues remain unresolved, including questions about the code's legal binding nature. The ASEAN countries and China hold differing views on the matter, with ASEAN members desiring the code to be grounded in international law, while China maintains its actions in the South China Sea are lawful. An international arbitration tribunal ruled in 2016 that China's claims lack basis in international law, a decision Beijing rejects.

The unresolved disagreements between ASEAN and China are not limited to the two parties. Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies' senior fellow, Collin Koh, noted that intramural divisions among ASEAN members also contribute to the slow progress. He emphasized that resolving the remaining differences will require significant concessions from all parties involved.

Singapore will take over the task of securing agreement on the code of conduct when it assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in the following year.