Jakarta, Indonesia
September 6, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to universal multilateralism and the rules-based international order during his intervention at the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – China Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The President noted various areas of cooperation between the ASEAN and the People’s Republic of China under the framework outlined in the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Among these are the ongoing ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations and leveraging complementarities between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). He stated that the Summit is an opportune time as this year marks the 20th anniversary of China’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

He underscored that one of the key priorities of the AOIP is maritime cooperation.

“We emphasize that practical cooperation in the maritime domain can flourish only with an enabling environment of regional peace, security, and stability, anchored on international law. The Philippines therefore continues to uphold the primacy of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS as the framework within which all activities in the seas and oceans take place. We reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes,” he stated.

Furthermore, President Marcos Jr. lauded the recent negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea hosted by Manila. Progress was made in discussing significant issues and a preliminary review of the Single Draft Negotiating Text (SDNT) was conducted. He emphasized that the Philippines’ objective remains at the early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC that adheres to international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Closing his statement, the Chief Executive conveyed the Philippines’ commitment to contribute to the implementation of the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC)-China Work Plan for 2024-2028. As the Voluntary Lead Shepherd on trafficking in persons under the SOMTC, he expressed his anticipation in facilitating closer ASEAN-China cooperation in this area.

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