MANILA, Philippines — Malacaang has expressed confidence that talks on the proposed South China Sea code of conduct (COC) will continue despite China’s new law allowing its coast guard to fire at foreign vessels in Chinese-claimed reefs.
This comes after retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio said China has rendered the South China Sea COC “dead on arrival” when it passed its Coast Guard law.
“As to whether or not the code of conduct is dead, I don’t think so,” said presidential spokesman Harry Roque during Monday’s press briefing when sought for the Palace’s reaction on Carpio’s opinion.
“Dahil ‘yan naman ay patuloy na tinatanggap at pinag-uusapan ng mga bansa na mayroo…
Keep on reading: Palace: Talks on SCS code of conduct to go on despite new China Coast Guard law