MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China are looking forward to the completion of the first draft of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) by next year.
Speaking as country coordinator for the ASEAN-China dialogue relations, President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated the parties' commitment to the "expeditious conclusion" of an effective COC.
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"ASEAN and China have seen steady progress in the initial phase of the COC negotiations since the announcement of a Single Draft COC Negotiating Text, and looked forward to the completion of the first reading of the Single Draft COC Negotiating Text by 2019," Duterte said in a speech before the 21st ASEAN-China Summit in Singapore.
Duterte assured his Southeast Asian counterparts, as well as Beijing, that the Philippines will continue to work with the 10-member regional bloc and China for the early conclusion of the sea code.
The Philippine leader maintained that concerned parties would continue to maintain a "conducive environment" for future rounds of negotiations on the matter.
"In the meantime, ASEAN and China continue to reaffirm the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight," Duterte said.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, meanwhile, called for support on strategic trust in his speech during the ASEAN-China Summit.
"ASEAN and China should cooperate to support ASEAN-centered regional architecture, mutual interests for all parties related to South China Sea — such as COC which will help change South China Sea to become 'sea of peace, stability and sustainable development,'" Chan-o-cha said.
Thailand will assume ASEAN chairmanship after Singapore's hosting this year.
Push COC 'at all cost'
In an interview prior to the ASEAN-China Summit, Duterte said that he will focus on the COC in the meeting with Southeast Asian leaders and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
Duterte, however, expressed concern over "friction" between Western nations and China.
"I am worried, I expressed it last night, because we have a Mutual Defense Treaty with the US and there's some serious miscalculation because of the treaty," Duterte was quoted saying in an ABS-CBN News video.
The president stressed that the COC on the disputed waterway must be accomplished "at all cost."
"I'd like to tell China that is why at all cost we must have a COC so you're there, you're in position, you occupied it. Tell us what routes shall we take, what kind of behavior," Duterte said.
In recent months, Beijing has installed surface-to-air missiles, anti-cruise ship missiles and electronic jamming equipment on its "big three" islands in the Spratly Islands, which are also being claimed by Manila.
China has rejected the July 2016 arbitral ruling of a United Nations-backed tribunal that invalidated its nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea.