South China Sea Code of Conduct negotiations ‘went nowhere,’ Locsin admits

MANILA, Philippines — Negotiations for a binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea “went nowhere,” even with the Philippines as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. admitted yesterday.

In a statement he delivered during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-G7 Foreign and Development Ministers Meeting in Liverpool, United Kingdom, Locsin said he opposed “the exclusion of any outside power from the South China Sea.”

China claimed that the progress in the COC consultations showed that Beijing and ASEAN countries have the capability, wisdom and willingness to reach consensus and formulate regional rules, and any external interference like the United States should be excluded as it is “not a party to the South China Sea issue.”

In 2016, an international tribunal ruled against Chinese claims, backing a case brought by the Philippines, but Beijing said it would not honor the ruling.

China’s more aggressive approach to its unlawful claims in the South China Sea has directly challenged the global rules-based order.

The Philippines opposed efforts to block foreign powers, particularly the US, from having access to the South China Sea under a COC being crafted by China and ASEAN.

“These worrying developments underscore the urgency and importance of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. The Philippines, in its role as then Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, is proud to have helped lead the process and build consensus,” Locsin said.

“But negotiations for the Code of Conduct, even in our watch, went nowhere. I opposed the exclusion of any outside power from the South China Sea. That would create a semi-legal sphere of influence repugnant to the comity of all nations,” he added.

The country’s top diplomat also aired concern over recent incidents in South China Sea. – Alexis Romero