Expect no Code of Conduct (COC) in the immediate future as talks between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China shifts its focus on confidence-building and preventive measures to enhance trust among the parties in South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. This can be gleaned from the Chairman’s Statement released only yesterday, two days after the conclusion of the 31st ASEAN Summit held in Manila. Citing “improving relations” between ASEAN and China, the leaders of the 10-member regional bloc said they are “encouraged by the adoption of the framework of the COC for the South China Sea, which will facilitate the work and negotiation for the conclusion of a substantive and effective COC.”

Mabasa, R. C., Geducos, A. C. B., Wakefield, F. T. (2017, November 17). ASEAN, China set to build trust first, before drafting COC on S. China Sea. Manila Bulletin, p. 8.