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Alyssa Chen

China has signalled strong optimism for finalising negotiations with neighbouring Asian countries to seal a new institutional framework on contested South China Sea waterways.
At China’s annual foreign policy press conference on Sunday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the negotiations as having entered a “critical phase” for talks on the South China Sea Code of Conduct – a proposed set of rules between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) aimed at easing tensions.
“All parties expect to conclude the consultations within this year,” Wang said. “China has the confidence and determination to work with all parties to overcome disturbances, build consensus despite differences and reach agreement as soon as possible.”
Beijing’s top diplomat added that the code could provide effective “golden rules” for all sides to manage differences, improve trust and promote cooperation.
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost all the islands and rock features in the South China Sea and in their adjacent waters. It is locked in disputes with rival claimants including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.
The framework has been under negotiation since the early 2000s and long been seen by countries in the region as vital to managing tensions in the strategically important waters.




The Philippines, as Asean’s rotating chair this year, is pushing to accelerate the negotiation process by gathering Chinese and Asean officials for monthly meetings in person. The latest discussion on the code took place in Singapore in February.
Last month, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the discussions about the code were 70 per cent completed and that Kuala Lumpur was confident the document could be finalised this year.
On Sunday, Wang delivered a pointed message to the Philippines, which has been China’s most vocal rival claimant.
He urged Manila to “be aware of its responsibility, refrain from being distracted by its own self-interests, demonstrate its due commitment, and play a positive and constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability” as Asean chair.
The past few years have seen frequent maritime disputes and terse diplomatic exchanges between Beijing and Manila over their respective activities around the South China Sea.
In 2013, Manila took Beijing to an international tribunal, which rejected Beijing’s expansive claims to historical and economic rights over most South China Sea features. Beijing did not take part in the legal process and did not recognise the ruling.
Despite the ongoing disputes between Beijing and rival claimants, Wang spoke of a spirit of positive cooperation concerning the South China Sea. He pointed to talks about joint development at sea with Indonesia, maritime dialogue with Malaysia and sustainable fisheries development with Vietnam.
Wang also said the rescue of Philippine crew members, after a Singapore-registered cargo ship went down near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in January, formed part of a broader “new narrative”.
“Peace, cooperation and friendship are shaping a new narrative for the South China Sea,” the foreign minister said. “Creating trouble out of nothing and stirring up trouble have no market any more.”


According to Ma Bo, deputy director at Nanjing University’s Collaborative Innovation Centre of South China Sea Studies, “Wang’s remarks demonstrated that Beijing expects the Philippines to foster ‘rules-based stability’ rather than allowing talks to be politicised or divided, and this is a subtle warning to Manila.”
Ma said China wanted to turn the momentum in negotiations into concrete agreements, solidifying progress in areas with high consensus such as accident prevention, emergency communication and search-and-rescue cooperation.
But he noted that the code negotiations had hit roadblocks over various issues, including its legally binding nature, scope of application and the role of third-party actors.
“Each side is likely to stand firm on their core interests throughout the negotiations,” Ma added.
He argued that through Wang’s remarks, Beijing sought to place the South China Sea and regional security within a larger international strategic context.
“Beijing’s message is clear: the stability of the South China Sea is critical to the security and development of the entire Asia-Pacific region, not a battlefield for geopolitical rivalry.”
In a swipe at China’s rival, the United States, Wang said Beijing would not, “like some traditional powers”, seek “spheres of influence and fuel bloc confrontation” with its Asian neighbours.
While seeking to calm choppy waters through external diplomacy, Beijing also hoped to boost domestic law enforcement and raise the visibility of its participation in safeguarding its maritime interests.
In its latest five-year blueprint, it pledges to raise “public awareness of maritime issues”, improve “strategic assessment, risk prevention and usage of legal means” as well as “proactively take part” in rule-making for global ocean governance.


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Wang Yi voices ‘determination’ to work with rival claimants yet urges Manila to ‘be aware of its responsibility’


Wang Yi voices ‘determination’ to work with rival claimants yet urges Manila to ‘be aware of its responsibility’.


Beijing signals high hopes for South China Sea ‘golden rules’ by end of year

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Wang Yi voices ‘determination’ to work with rival claimants yet urges Manila to ‘be aware of its responsibility’

Wang Yi voices ‘determination’ to work with rival claimants yet urges Manila to ‘be aware of its responsibility’