President Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed support for the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea in a bid to manage regional differences and tensions. Although the extent of the two leaders’ conversation about the long-standing maritime dispute was not elaborated, they both agreed “maritime issues do not define the totality of Philippines-China relations.” But the Chinese Embassy in Manila, in a statement, said “the two sides must stick to friendly consultation and handle differences and disputes properly.”

Unite, B. V., & Pedrajas, J. (2022, November 19). Marcos, Xi back code on South China Sea. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 9.