Marcos upholds commitment to UNCLOS, rule of law at ASEAN-China Summit

JAKARTA, Indonesia — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reiterated the Philippines’ assertion of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the rule of law in settling maritime disputes during the 26th ASEAN-China Summit here.

“We must emphasize that practical cooperation in the maritime domain can only flourish with an enabling environment of regional peace, security, and stability, anchored in international law,” Marcos said in his intervention at the said summit.

“The Philippines therefore continues to uphold the primacy of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the framework within which all activities in the seas and oceans are conducted. We once again reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes,” he added.

The Philippine president also reported about significant progress in the crafting of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

“We are pleased that at the last negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea held in Manila a few weeks ago, that some progress was made in discussing the milestone issues and a preliminary review of the Single Draft Negotiating Text,” Marcos said. 

“The early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, remains the goal for ASEAN and for China,” he added.

In the photos released by the ASEAN Secretariat, Marcos was seen talking with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who represented Chinese President Xi Jinping during the ASEAN-China Summit.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos told Li during the brief interaction that the Philippines “will continue to push for cooperation with China and work towards more partnerships and collaboration.” — RSJ, GMA Integrated News