The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said China’s agreement to the general framework of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea was not enough guarantee of Beijing’s commitment to peacefully settle disputes in the contested waters. China and Asean senior ministers agreed to finish the general framework of the legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea following a meeting last week in China. But the political commitment to settle disputes has yet to be proven by China, according to DFA spokesperson Charles Jose. “It should be noted that this is only the general framework [of the COC], this is only the skeleton or outline of the COC, we need to put the flesh on the bone,” Jose told a press briefing at the DFA on Thursday.

Torres, E. (2016, August 20). No guarantee China will honor code of conduct. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A6.