Philippines Pushes for UNCLOS in South China Sea Code

The Philippines, which is leading ASEAN this year, wants to create a set of rules with China about the South China Sea.

These rules are called a 'Code of Conduct.'

The Philippines insists that these rules should be based on international law, specifically something called UNCLOS.

China, however, says most of the South China Sea belongs to it.

The Philippines and its friends, like the United States, Australia, Japan, and Canada, want the rules to be fair and legally binding.

They also want to talk about these rules more often to finish them this year.

There have been some arguments and tense moments between the Philippines and China in the sea, but the Philippines thinks talking is better than fighting.