The Philippines has raised its concerns on the recent developments in the South China Sea as top Filipino diplomats met with their counterparts from China and other Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) members for talks on a Code of Conduct in the disputed waters.

Asserting its rightful sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, a part of the bigger South China Sea that China also claims as its own, the Philippines said it “remains committed to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct.”

 The Philippines maintained there is still a “need to have a conducive environment for the talks to progress.”

This was according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as it provided details about what transpired during the resumption of the ASEAN-China’s South China Sea talks, which Manila hosted.

“The Philippines hosted the 40th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (JWG-DOC) on August 22-24 here in Manila,” it said.

“In this regard, the Philippines raised concerns over recent incidents and challenges in the South China Sea that undermines trust, escalates tensions, and threatens peace, stability and security in the region,” it added.

Talks on the possible COC have achieved little progress over the past years due to varying views of 12 countries that are part of negotiations.

Five ASEAN members have claims over parts of the South China Sea, while China claims its entirety.

Among the goals of coming up with a COC is to prevent dangerous incidents on the sea, like the recent water cannon attack committed by China against Philippine personnel on resupply mission in the Ayungin Shoal, the DFA said.

The last talks were held in Jakarta in March 2023 and Hanoi in May the same year.

The DFA in March said participating countries were still negotiating and deliberating “the single negotiated text of the COC” and “the same text on the general provisions.”