In a significant diplomatic push amid ongoing tensions, China and ASEAN nations convened the 25th Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in Cebu, Philippines. The gathering, co-chaired by Hou Yanqi from China’s Foreign Ministry Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs and Dato Sri Amran Mohamed Zin, Secretary-General of Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, brought together high-level representatives from all ASEAN countries.
Participants unanimously underscored the critical need to preserve peace and stability in the South China Sea, a vital waterway prone to territorial disputes. They pledged to intensify consultations, exercise restraint, manage differences peacefully, foster mutual trust, and ensure steady maritime conditions. This consensus reflects a shared commitment to de-escalating frictions in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
A centerpiece of the discussions was the full and effective implementation of the DOC, originally signed in 2002. All sides agreed to deepen cooperation across key domains including marine environmental protection, scientific research, search and rescue operations, and law enforcement. The meeting also hailed the ‘substantive progress’ achieved in negotiations for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.
Delegates approved the next steps in the COC negotiation roadmap, vowing to accelerate the process to finalize the binding agreement sooner. This momentum is seen as a potential game-changer for regional security.
Looking ahead, from January 30 to February 1, China and ASEAN will host the 51st Joint Working Group meeting on DOC implementation, signaling sustained dialogue. As geopolitical stakes rise with involvement from external powers, these talks offer a platform for multilateral solutions, potentially averting escalations that could disrupt global trade routes carrying trillions in annual commerce.