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Expert: No South China Sea Code This Year

3/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Wu Shicun, a South China Sea expert, says a code of conduct will not be finalized this year despite improved Beijing–Manila ties.
He says it is "100 per cent not likely" the document will be signed while the Philippines chairs ASEAN.
Other claimant states and Western nations have used the 2016 arbitration ruling rejecting China's claims, which Beijing has refused to acknowledge, to argue China is not following international law.

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Story summary

Wu Shicun, a South China Sea expert, says a code of conduct will not be finalized this year despite improved Beijing–Manila ties.
He says it is "100 per cent not likely" the document will be signed while the Philippines chairs ASEAN.
Other claimant states and Western nations have used the 2016 arbitration ruling rejecting China's claims, which Beijing has refused to acknowledge, to argue China is not following international law.