JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

During his intervention in the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – China Summit here, Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to the rules-based order in the South China Sea.

"The Philippines 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," Marcos said. "We once again reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes."

Marcos also expressed hope that the two countries can progress in the negotiations for a COC in the South China Sea.

"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 said.

Marcos' remarks come amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, where China has been asserting its claims over disputed waters. The Philippines is one of several ASEAN countries with overlapping claims with China in the South China Sea.

In his remarks during the intervention, Marcos also highlighted the importance of cooperation between ASEAN and China in areas such as trade, investment, and connectivity. He said that such cooperation can help to achieve the goal of making ASEAN the "epicentrum of growth."

"The ongoing ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations will also encourage stronger ties between ASEAN and China," Marcos said. "It is also our hope that we identify and leverage on complementarities between China's Belt and Road Initiative and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific."

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, for his part, claimed that China has been working with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to "preserve regional stability."

He asserted that "mutual trust" between the two parties has "grown deeper."

"We have been committed to treating each other sincerely, and our political mutual trust has grown deeper," Li said during the ASEAN-China Summit.