Asean, China Advance South China Sea Code Talks
Negotiators are about 70 percent through the Code of Conduct, with a special summit in Manila set for Tuesday.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in International Relations
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Asean and China negotiators continued talks on a Code of Conduct governing the South China Sea, holding about nine meetings so far this year. Asean and Chinese leaders are scheduled to hold a special summit in Manila on Tuesday.
Why it matters
The code would set rules for conduct in a contested maritime region where several Asean members and China have competing claims. Remaining delays stem largely from Asean's consensus-driven process rather than major disagreements with China, and the outcome will shape how the region manages disputes in the waters.
The negotiators have held about nine meetings this year, and Philippine officials estimate the talks are roughly 70 percent complete after about 10 months of progress. The scope of the code's coverage for non-claimant states is still unresolved.
The players
Asean
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional bloc of ten Southeast Asian states that works by consensus on shared security and economic matters.
China
China is a claimant state in the South China Sea and the counterpart negotiating the Code of Conduct with Asean members.
Department of Foreign Affairs
The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs leads the country's diplomacy and, through Assistant Secretary Dax Imperial, serves as its voice on Asean matters.
The details
Negotiations cover the legal nature of the code, its geographic scope, self-restraint provisions, third-party participation and rights, and consistency with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Asean and China officials meet nearly every month, and Asean member-states must first agree on common positions among themselves before presenting them to Beijing.
Timeline
January 2026: Negotiation progress over the past 10 months begins.
Earlier in 2026: Asean foreign ministers welcomed significant progress in the talks.
Tuesday, November 2026: Asean leaders and Chinese Premier Li Qiang hold a special summit in Manila.
Before the end of 2026: Leaders have directed that negotiations be substantially completed.
November 2026: The code is not expected to be concluded this month.
Big Picture
The Code of Conduct is being negotiated to remain consistent with UNCLOS, placing the talks within the international legal framework that governs maritime claims. Its progress will indicate whether Asean and China can translate that framework into enforceable conduct rules for contested waters.
The outcome will determine the rules that govern maritime conduct in a waterway used for major shipping routes. Businesses and travelers relying on regional shipping and trade should track whether the code is finalized, since its terms could affect navigation and commercial activity in the area.
The takeaway
Progress on the Code of Conduct depends on Asean members agreeing internally before negotiating with China, so watch the outcomes of the Manila summit for signs of whether a final agreement is near. Consensus-driven timelines often move slower than leaders' targets.
What happens next
Asean and Chinese leaders meet in Manila on Tuesday, and negotiators will reconvene after the Asean Summit to assess where the talks stand.
Further reading
For broader background on the diplomatic relationships behind these talks, explore International Relations.
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Should the Philippines take a firmer stance against China over the South China Sea?
