President Marcos Advocates for Faster ASEAN-China Code of Conduct
President Marcos is set to strongly advocate for the swift completion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China Code of Conduct during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This four-word keyphrase, ASEAN-China Code of Conduct, is a central focus of his agenda as he attends the summit scheduled from May 26 to 27.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the President aims to reinforce his earlier call for ASEAN member states to accelerate the negotiation process. “Back in 2023, the foreign ministers of ASEAN agreed to fast track the discussions on the COC, and this is what we are backing during the summits,” a senior official stated during a briefing. He added, “The President certainly will push for it, raising this with the leaders of ASEAN to reaffirm concluding it hopefully among ASEAN and China by 2026.”
Intensive Participation in ASEAN and Related Summits
Beyond the main ASEAN Summit, President Marcos will also attend the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. He is expected to engage in nine leaders-level meetings, six of which will occur on May 26 alone.
The President’s participation will emphasize Philippine interests, particularly in enhancing regional security and stability, deepening economic cooperation, and expanding engagement with ASEAN’s dialogue partners. Officials noted that he will continue to assert the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award.
Possible bilateral talks with Laos, Kuwait, and Vietnam are also on the agenda.
Key Regional and Global Issues on the Table
Leaders are expected to address pressing regional and global concerns, including the situation in Myanmar, the United States’ new tariffs policy, and ongoing geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges impacting Southeast Asia.
However, sources confirm that no trade agreements will be finalized during the summit, though trade discussions will remain a significant topic. Regarding the US unilateral tariffs, ASEAN nations have expressed concern but decided against retaliatory measures. Instead, they plan to strengthen bilateral and multilateral engagements with the US to achieve positive outcomes.
“So, regarding the US unilateral tariffs, I’d like to go back to one the economic ministers did a few weeks back, which they issued a joint statement among ASEAN regarding the unilateral tariffs. And I would like to stress the action of ASEAN member states which is, of course, they’re concerned but at the same time, we will not … the region will not do a retaliatory measure,” a government official explained.
He added, “Instead, palalaganapin po natin iyong maigting na more on bilateral and also multilateral engagement with the US para po maging maganda iyong kalabasan ng discussions na iyon.”
The Philippine government is conducting bilateral talks with the US and supports ASEAN’s non-retaliatory approach, focusing on solutions beneficial to all member states.
Expected Outcomes and Declarations
During the summits, approximately 22 outcome documents are anticipated. Some will be formally adopted, while others will be noted by the attending leaders. Among these are the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the ASEAN Vision 2045, the Joint Statement of the 2nd ASEAN GCC Summit, and the Joint Statement of the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.
President Marcos’ active role in these meetings highlights the Philippines’ commitment to regional cooperation, peaceful dispute resolution, and economic progress.
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