The Philippines will push for “intensified negotiations” on a “Code of Conduct” that seeks to prevent a major conflict in the South China Sea during the Association of Southeast Asian Summit in Kuala Lumpur next week.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo earlier said Manila is targeting the code is okayed during its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.

“The Philippines will call for more intensified negotiations toward a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, in view of the commitment made by ASEAN and China to conclude the COC by 2026,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said.

In August 2018, ASEAN and China agreed to a single draft of the code of conductwith an agreement reached in November 2018 for both sides to finalize the document within three years, starting from 2019. No final document was agreed. DMS