Philippines foreign minister hopeful asean china maritime code ready by mid 2017

According to various news sources, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Manila Times, the Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. expressed optimism that the ASEAN-China Maritime Code of Conduct (COC) will be ready by mid-2017.

The ASEAN-China COC is a long-awaited agreement aimed at preventing conflicts and promoting cooperation in the South China Sea, where several ASEAN member states and China have overlapping territorial claims. The code is expected to establish rules and guidelines for navigation, overflight, and other maritime activities in the disputed waters.

In a statement, Yasay said that he is "hopeful" that the COC will be finalized by mid-2017, citing progress made in the negotiations between ASEAN and China. He also emphasized the importance of the agreement in promoting peace and stability in the region.

The ASEAN-China COC has been under negotiation since 2013, with several rounds of talks held between the two sides. While there have been some disagreements and concerns raised by some ASEAN member states, the Philippines has been pushing for a swift conclusion of the negotiations.

The Philippines has been a strong advocate for a binding code of conduct, citing the need for a clear set of rules to prevent conflicts and ensure the safety of navigation in the South China Sea. The country has also been seeking to strengthen its relations with China, particularly in the areas of trade and investment.

It remains to be seen whether the ASEAN-China COC will indeed be finalized by mid-2017, but the optimism expressed by the Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary is a positive development in the ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.