PH presses sea code of conduct

The Philippines is looking forward, as the new coordinator of the ASEAN-China Dialogue, to strengthening ASEAN’s relationship with China.

A senior Philippine diplomat revealed this yesterday in a report by the Chinese news agency Xinhua. ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Enrique Manalo, Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, said that the Philippines will formally take over as the coordinator of the ASEAN-China dialogue relations starting next week.

As the new country coordinator for the ASEAN-China dialogue, the Philippines will promote the negotiation of the code of conduct in the South China Sea to achieve more positive progress, said Manalo.

“One of our priorities will be continuing the negotiation of the code of conduct in the South China Sea. We will see how we can move forward on the negotiation,” said Manalo.

He said that as the coordinator country, the Philippines is looking forward to cementing the bond between the regional organization and China.

“Our coordinator ship will be aiming to see how we can further our relationship,” he said.

The ASEAN member states take turns in being a country coordinator for each of the dialogue relationships.

Singapore is the present country coordinator for ASEAN-China dialogue relations.

Manalo also hailed China’s key role in this region.

“China of course plays a very important role in enhancing the regional growth, stability and peace. And furthermore, I think we can work together in the economic and politic fields so we can build a stronger region,” the Philippine senior diplomat added.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Xinhua

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