President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to adopt a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea

Marcos made the statement as he delivered his intervention during the plenary of the 46th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he noted on the importance of collective action amid geopolitical tensions and other challenges that threaten to erase the regional bloc’s hard-earned progress.

“We underscore the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea. This is to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea,” Marcos said.

Earlier, the Philippines condemned China’s use of water cannons against a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic vessel in the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos also expressed support for the ASEAN’s consensus to avoid retaliatory measures after the imposition of increased tariffs by the United States.

“This measured and unified approach upholds ASEAN’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and a rules-based multilateral trading system,” he said.

ASEAN Chairman and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that he had already requested President Donald Trump to meet collectively with ASEAN leaders to discuss the implementation of increased tariffs, even as ASEAN countries have already started bilateral negotiations with the United States.