With the Philippines gearing up to succeed Malaysia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has confirmed that Manila will push for a finalised and binding code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea amid a longstanding maritime row with China.
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In an interview for his podcast last Friday, Marcos Jnr confirmed his side would “certainly try” for the outcome, stressing the urgency of a legally binding agreement to maintain stability in the region.
Four Asean states – Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines – have competing claims against Beijing in the South China Sea, yet disputed areas in the Philippines have become prominent flashpoints for these tensions.
“We will certainly try, because a code of conduct is very, very important,” Marcos said, adding that his country’s maritime zones had become the most volatile parts of the waterway.
An international tribunal ruled in favour of the Philippines’ claims in 2016. Beijing has constantly rejected the decision and upheld its nine-dash-line claim, which it says is based on historical accounts.
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According to Marcos, a COC would outline acceptable and appropriate behaviour while preventing actions that could further provoke tensions among claimant states, including ship collisions and the construction of artificial islands.