China has promised the Philippines that it would fast-track the negotiations for the proposed code of conduct for claimants in the South China Sea, according to President Duterte. Mr. Duterte said he pressed Chinese officials to provide a date for the approval of the code of conduct and he was told that the Chinese side would “really fast-track” it. China and the 10-member Asean agreed in Manila on Monday to start the formal negotiations on a code of conduct for claimants in the South China Sea to prevent the escalation of the maritime dispute.

Tubeza, P. C. (2017, November 16). Du30: China to fast-track sea talks. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A2.