On Thursday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos implored Southeast Asian and Chinese leaders to speed up talks over the code of conduct for the troubled South China Sea.
Marcos spoke in Laos at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-China summit, where, in front of Chinese Premier Li Quang, he accused Beijing of harassment and intimidation in the region.
Speaking in a veiled dig at China, the Philippine leader said all parties must “be earnestly open to seriously managing differences” and reducing tension.
Manila has repeatedly accused the Chinese coast guard of harassment in the South China Sea in recent months, calling out Beijing for repeated provocations and territorial incursions.
“There should be more urgency in the pace of the negotiations of the ASEAN-China code of conduct,” Marcos told the meeting.
