October 29, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR – As the incoming chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) next year, the Philippines committed to engage the bloc and China in diplomacy and mutually beneficial cooperation in the South China Sea, while asserting the country’s rights in the disputed waters.
“The Philippines stands ready to work with Asean and China to translate our commitments into meaningful outcomes through mutually beneficial cooperation,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said during the 28th Asean-China Summit on Tuesday, the third and last day of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits here.
“It must be clear, however, that this cooperation cannot exist alongside coercion,” he added.
Marcos used the summit to deliver fresh criticisms against China yet again on its relentless aggression in the West Philippine Sea, a part of the South China Sea within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
Present during the Asean-China meeting were the leaders of the now 11 Asean member states, as well as Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
According to Marcos, positive outcomes may be gained by Asean and China “if we commit to cooperation and meaningful engagement, especially in the South China Sea.”
Marcos also used the Asean platform again to call on its members, as well as China, to conclude by next year its negotiations for an “effective and substantive” Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
Self-restraint
He raised possible scientific cooperation, such as on ocean meteorology, which is crucial for ensuring maritime safety, managing maritime impacts on marine biodiversity in the high seas, and helping implement the Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
He also raised to the parties to consider mechanisms that would allow local fisherfolk to access their traditional fishing grounds, without interference or arrangements that will limit activities in uninhabited features.
“Of course, if we truly want a pathway for the South China Sea to remain a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity for all, we should not lose sight of the importance of self-restraint on everyone’s part,” Marcos said.
“Otherwise, the failure to restrain provocative and dangerous actions further threatens the peace and stability that we have collectively built and cultivated over many years,” he added.
After the summit, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said Marcos had a “brief chat” with Li.
But before their cordial encounter, the President made a new round of condemnation against China for its aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: Marcos takes a swipe at China during Asean summit
Before the Chinese Premier, Marcos again raised the “persistent incidents” in the South China Sea, where Philippine vessels and aircraft continue to face “dangerous actions.”
He also denounced Beijing’s unilateral declarations of marine protection zones, such as the “nature reserve” in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), which the President insisted is “an integral and longstanding part of Philippine territory.”
“Such actions cannot hide under the veneer of marine environmental protection because it has no legal basis or effect, clearly disregards international law, and infringes on the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” Marcos said — his most scathing remarks yet on the issue, which he also raised in the earlier Asean-US and Asean-East Asia summits.
But he stressed that the Philippines remains committed to diplomacy and dialogue as the means to assert its rights and entitlements under international law.
“We will continue to engage constructively to manage differences,” Marcos said.
The President cited the Philippines’ Provisional Understanding with China through which 10 rotation and resupply (Rore) missions to BRP Sierra Madre grounded in Ayungin (Second Thomas Shoal) have been completed without any untoward incident.
“Our Provisional Understanding is but one demonstration of how effective diplomacy and candid dialogue can ease tensions and produce positive outcomes that help manage the situation at sea, without prejudicing national positions. We should widen our diplomatic creativity for this purpose,” he said.
Among the five Asean members who were also claimant countries, only the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia have actively raised the South China Sea issue before the Asean summits.
Vietnam echoes PH calls
Based on reports of state-run Vietnam News, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính urged all parties to respect international law, especially Unclos.
Similar to Marcos, he also called for the parties to exercise restraint, avoid complicating the situation, and settle disputes peacefully, while coordinating for the full implementation of the DOC and the early conclusion of the COC.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs the Asean, shared the view of China of resolving the South China Sea issue within the bloc and with China.
In his opening remarks during the summit, Li called for Asean and China to “stay united and independent,” and to reject “external interference” particularly the United States.
“In the face of power politics and economic bullying, we will gain nothing from disunity and confrontation, and will only end up divided and conquered by external forces,” the Chinese Premier said.
“The more challenging the situation, the more resolute we should be in maintaining unity and self-reliance,” he added.