Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday affirmed his country's commitment to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) members towards the conclusion of a binding Code of Conduct on the South China Sea (COC) within three years. Xi made the statement during the start of his first visit to the Philippines where he also announced his country's readiness to work closely with the country to deepen its cooperation, ties and friendship. He said the Philippines and China should also work together to uphold the interests of the developing world and resist protectionism and unilateralism while promoting peace and stability

Montemayor, J., Orias, E., & Africa, R. (2018, November 21). China vows to manage 'contentious issues' with PH. Malaya Business Insight, pp. B1, B5.