China and ASEAN Fall Short of 2026 South China Sea Agreement Target
Diplomats report progress on a proposed code of conduct, but major disputes remain for negotiations next year.
China and Southeast Asian governments have not completed their planned South China Sea code of conduct by the end-of-2026 target, despite progress during talks.
Diplomats familiar with the negotiations say important differences remain over the agreement's geographic coverage, terminology and whether its provisions would be legally binding. Negotiations are expected to continue in 2027.
The proposed code seeks to prevent confrontations in disputed waters from escalating. Several governments have overlapping maritime claims, and tensions persist over access and activities in the strategically important sea. The negotiations represent ongoing diplomacy rather than a final settlement.
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