‘Negotiation fatigue’ risks stalling South China Sea code of conduct progress
Efforts to finalise the code between Asean and China this year are hampered to a large extent by differences between Manila and Beijing
Analysts say any eventual consensus on a code is likely to be broad and symbolic, noting the importance of keeping dialogue flowing even as “negotiation fatigue” sets in.
A joint communique issued on the same day echoed this optimism, with Asean ministers welcoming the “sustained positive momentum” in talks and the “significant progress achieved”.
The bloc said it “looked forward to continued efforts in endeavouring to conclude the negotiation of an effective and substantive COC that is in accordance with international law”.
Talks on the China-Asean agreement have dragged on for more than two decades, hampered by competing territorial claims, disagreements over whether the code should be legally binding, differing views on its geographic scope, the role of external powers and the definition of terms such as “self-restraint”.