The Philippines and China reiterated yesterday their commitment to start negotiations for a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea early next month. They made the commitment at the second meeting of the Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) yesterday in Manila. They also vowed to work together for full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Kicking off negotiations next month was agreed upon at the 20th ASEAN-China Summit on Nov. 13 last year.

Lee-Brago, P. (2018, February 15). Phl, China commit to start talks on sea code. The Philippine Star, p. 2.