Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Philippines Pushes for South China Sea Code of Conduct Completion
The Philippines wants to help its neighbors and China make rules for sharing the South China Sea when it becomes the leader of the group next year.
These rules will help everyone play nicely and avoid fights.
China claims a lot of the sea, which sometimes causes problems with its neighbors.
The Philippines and its friends want to finish making these important rules, but they're having trouble agreeing on some things.
The Philippines aims to finalize a code of conduct for the South China Sea during its ASEAN chairmanship next year.
ASEAN and China have agreed to conclude the code, with progress described as slow since discussions began in 2017.
The Philippines and some ASEAN members advocate for the code to be legally binding, but China's stance is unclear.
China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, leading to tensions with neighboring countries.
The code aims to establish rules for behavior in the disputed waters, amidst ongoing territorial disputes and rising tensions.
- Who
- The Philippines, as the incoming ASEAN chair, along with other ASEAN member states and China.
- What
- The Philippines is hoping to finalize a code of conduct for the South China Sea.
- When
- During the Philippines' chairmanship of ASEAN next year.
- Where
- The South China Sea.
- Why
- To establish rules and potentially a legally binding agreement governing conduct in the South China Sea, amidst ongoing territorial disputes and rising tensions.
Philippines & ASEAN
China
Legally Binding Code of Conduct
Philippines & ASEAN
The Philippines and other ASEAN members aim for a code of conduct that is legally binding.
China
China's stance on the legally binding nature of the code is not explicitly stated but implied by the slow progress and territorial claims.
South China Sea Sovereignty and Actions
Philippines & ASEAN
Neighbors accuse China of aggression and disrupting activities in their exclusive economic zones.
China
Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea.
- Negotiation Parties
- China and the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- Goal of Code of Conduct
- Establish rules for behavior in the South China Sea
- ASEAN Chairmanship
- Philippines, next year
- Code of Conduct Pledge Year
- 2002
- Start of Discussions
- 2017 (15 years after pledge)