As ASEAN touts unity, Philippines seeks consensus on South China Sea

The Philippines is demanding a swift conclusion to negotiations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea, citing growing frustration over Beijing's exploitation of ASEAN's consensus-based decision-making process. Speaking at an ASEAN summit, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the urgent need for a legally binding agreement to safeguard maritime rights and prevent conflicts in resource-rich waters, where Chinese activity has increasingly disrupted navigation with flares and water cannons.