President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., speaking at the 28th ASEAN-China Summit on Tuesday, articulated the Philippines’ clear policy in the South China Sea: a steadfast commitment to diplomacy and mutually beneficial cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, while simultaneously asserting the nation’s rights under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
President Marcos stressed the urgency of finalizing an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. “This Code must be consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS, must not diminish the rights and interests of third parties, and can effectively govern the behavior of Parties at sea,” the President stated.
The President emphasized that true partnership requires adherence to core principles. “The Philippines stands ready to work with ASEAN and China to translate our commitments into meaningful outcomes through mutually beneficial cooperation. It must be clear, however, that this cooperation cannot exist alongside coercion.”
He reiterated that grounding the ASEAN-China partnership in “mutual respect for sovereign equality and adherence to international law” is essential to deliver tangible benefits and advance a shared vision of peace, stability, prosperity, and sustainability in the region.
To this end, the President urged the exploration of cooperative activities within the framework of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). He proposed potential scientific cooperation, such as in ocean meteorology, to enhance maritime safety and mitigate risks to marine biodiversity.
Furthermore, President Marcos suggested cooperation to prevent incidents, including mechanisms that would enable artisanal fisherfolk to access their traditional fishing grounds without interference, and arrangements to limit activities in uninhabited features.
The President voiced serious concern over the persistence of incidents in the South China Sea, where Filipino fisherfolk and Philippine vessels and aircraft continue to face dangerous actions and harassment. He specifically opposed unilateral declarations, such as the claim of a “nature reserve” in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), describing it as a violation of Philippine sovereignty and international law.
“Such actions cannot hide under the veneer of marine environmental protection because it has no legal basis or effect, clearly disregard international law, and infringe on the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” he said.
Despite these challenges, President Marcos cited successful diplomacy as a path forward, highlighting the Provisional Understanding with China through which 10 rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) have been completed without untoward incident.
“Our Provisional Understanding is but one demonstration of how effective diplomacy and candid dialogue can ease tensions and produce positive outcomes that help manage the situation at sea, without prejudicing national positions. We should widen our diplomatic creativity for this purpose,” the Philippine leader concluded.
