The Philippine government welcomed on Thursday a target to achieve a framework of a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China by middle of next year.

In a text message, Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said ASEAN and China affirmed the aim to complete the framework for the COC by mid-2017 and "to fast-track the conclusion of a substantive and binding COC in SCS."

"PH (Philippines) supports this goal as it is consistent with our position to conclude expeditiously the negotiations for an effective COC," he said.

The target to come up with a framework for the COC came following the July 12 ruling of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration rejecting the nine-dash line of China.

The Philippines filed a petition before the court to declare as invalid China's claim over almost the entire South China Sea, covering areas within the 200-nautical miles exclusive economic zones of the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, such as Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.

The Aquino administration had been strongly pushing for the adoption of a COC in the South China Sea. Celerina Monte/DMS