Key facts
- Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro put the draft code of conduct at roughly 80% complete.
- Lazaro spoke on November 14 after a series of Asean ministerial meetings.
- A Chinese expert cited in the report said meeting the year-end deadline depends on concessions from Beijing and regional claimants.
China and Southeast Asian nations have made progress in negotiating a code of conduct for the South China Sea, with Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro saying on November 14 that roughly 80% of the draft agreement is complete. She spoke after a series of Asean ministerial meetings.
Whether the accord can meet its year-end deadline depends on Beijing and regional claimants finding common ground on key concessions, according to a Chinese expert cited in the report. The report did not name the expert.
The report is a partial account: it states that Lazaro said 77 per cent at one point, without completing the sentence, alongside the 80% figure.