{
  "id": 19775624,
  "title": "South China Sea COC negotiations at 70pct complete - Philippines",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/south-china-sea-coc-negotiations-at-70pct-complete-philippines",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T07:40:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2026/11/1576896/south-china-sea-coc-negotiations-70pct-complete-philippines"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Negotiations for a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea have reached 70 percent completion, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), which quoted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday. DFA Spokesman for Asean Affairs Dax Imperial did not provide further details but mentioned there are issues that require clarification and certain elements that need refining. No specific date has been set for the next round of negotiations, but Imperial confirmed the COC will be discussed at the upcoming Asean ministerial meetings on November 14 and the 49th Asean Leaders Summit. Imperial stated that all parties are committed to continuing discussions, even if the COC is not finalized within the year. The Marcos administration aims to conclude the COC by year-end, but the priority is ensuring the Philippines' position and desired elements are included. The four key issues in the talks include the COC's relationship with the non-binding Declaration of Conduct (DOC) in the South China Sea, its legal binding status, its geographical scope, and the definition of terms such as self-restraint. The COC proposal has been under development for years, and its adoption is expected to establish rules for managing tensions in the disputed South China Sea.",
  "summary": "MANILA: Negotiations for a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea are now 70 per cent complete, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported, quoting the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "China eyes South China Sea control for Taiwan invasion: report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/china-eyes-south-china-sea-control-for-taiwan-invasion-report",
        "published": "2026-11-13T05:30:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}