National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr. on Wednesday said discussions on the South China Sea Code of Conduct is continuing and could be finalized by next year. In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, Mr. Esperon said he is “positive” that the ongoing talks with China and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be concluded in 2021. “We still hope by 2021 we could sign an agreement on the code of conduct,” he said.

Cortez, G. M. (2020, November 5). South China Sea code of conduct could be signed by next year. BusinessWorld, p. S1/10.