By:  – Reporter / @CMRamosINQ

 / 08:33 PM January 16, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — The negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, an accord which seeks to prevent the escalating of tensions in the disputed waterway, “has been steadily moving forward,” China’s top diplomat to the Philippines said.

Speaking before guests during a Chinese New Year reception in Makati Wednesday night, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian took note of what he called the “sustained betterment and growth” of relations between the two countries.

“Important bilateral mechanisms including the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) are working well,” he said.

“The consultation on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, with the Philippines as the country coordinator of China-Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) dialogue relations, has been steadily moving forward, contributing to the peace and stability of the region and beyond,” he added.

In a separate interview with reporters before the reception, Huang expressed optimism about the “early conclusion” of negotiations on the sea code.

“Both China and Asean countries are working very hard to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and we have completed the first readings of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” he said.

“We have begun the process of the second reading already,” he added.

China and the Philippines, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan, have overlapping claims to the sea. Read more…