SUMMARY

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is firmly committed to negotiations for a code of conduct between China and Southeast Asian countries to avert confrontations in the South China Sea, its foreign minister said on Thursday, February 15.

Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo also said tensions in the South China Sea were not all about a rivalry between superpowers the United States and China, and the Philippines, and others, had legitimate rights and interests to uphold.

Such view will “not help in an honest understanding of the situation,” he told reporters.

“It obscures good judgment, actions that are clearly illegal in international law and against the UN charter are sometimes rationalized under the pretext of this rivalry.”

He also voiced concern about regional tensions ove…

Source:https://www.rappler.com/philippines/committed-south-china-sea-code-of-conduct/