Asean defence ministers urge prompt South China Sea code finalisation

Asean defence ministers have urged for a swift finalisation of the comprehensive code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, in accordance with international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The ministers emphasised the significance of full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties and commended confidence-building measures such as the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea, Guidelines for Air Military Encounters, as well as Asean Direct Communications Infrastructure.