ISTANBUL

The Philippines on Monday said it hopes to finalize a long-delayed code of conduct on the South China Sea when it chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said Manila will uphold commitments made by regional leaders in 2023 to accelerate work on the code, which is intended to manage tensions between ASEAN and China over the disputed waters.

She said the Philippines aims to conclude the agreement during its ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, according to Manila Standard.

"There is already a sense among ASEAN and China that a code of conduct will be concluded," Lazoro said at a press conference in Pasay City, according to Philstar.

“All ASEAN member states are involved and very much entrenched. We have been discussing this for a long time … In fact, there are certain discussions on the milestones and definition of terms,” she added.

In 2023, ASEAN and China’s foreign ministers endorsed guidelines to speed completion of the code, agreeing to aim for its conclusion within three years. China and ASEAN first committed to establishing a code of conduct in 2002.

Lazaro said the Philippines, as chair of the 11-member bloc next year, will prioritize regional interests.

"Issues concerning our bilateral matters will be set aside because we are not talking to China as a bilateral partner," she said. "We are the chair of ASEAN."

Tensions have persisted in recent years between China and the Philippines, a US ally, over competing claims in the South China Sea.