ASEAN and China will find South China Sea code elusive

Significance

Foreign ministers of the ten ASEAN countries and China have endorsed a single draft negotiating text (SDNT) regarding a Code of Conduct (CoC) for the South China Sea. The South China Sea dispute involves maritime territorial and jurisdictional disagreements.

Impacts

• The Philippines and China will proceed with discussions on the joint development of resources in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
• Vietnam will prioritise offshore development with Russia, believing it will dissuade Chinese pushback.
• Washington will continue to undertake freedom of navigation operations around China’s artificial islands, irking Beijing.