Asean will intensify efforts to establish a code of conduct for the South China Sea and enhance energy security. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that deeper economic cooperation hinges on finalizing this maritime code.

Deeper economic cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will hinge on whether a code can be laid down to govern maritime territory and activity in the South China Sea, Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has said. “We cannot institutionalise any of those things until the code of conduct is finalised,” he told a press conference on Friday at the close of the 48th Asean summit in Cebu, when asked about aspects that held the most potential in relations between...