The Philippines remains skeptical about China‘s commitment to negotiating a regional code of conduct in the South China Sea, despite Manila’s eagerness to continue discussions, according to Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro on Monday. Teodoro noted that while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has endorsed “good-faith discussions” with China regarding the long-awaited code, he harbors doubts about Beijing’s genuine intentions. “At this moment, to be frank, I do not perceive that,” Teodoro stated to reporters.

The Chinese embassy in Manila has not yet provided a response to a request for comment. On Sunday, Southeast Asian leaders urged for a prompt agreement on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, emphasizing the need for adherence to international law amid rising tensions in the vital waterway, which facilitates $3 trillion in trade annually. China asserts its claim over nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, which overlaps with claims from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

The Philippines has raised concerns regarding the tactics employed by Chinese vessels, including the use of water cannons, collisions, and ramming, aimed at obstructing resupply and patrol operations in contested waters. A maritime code, proposed as a means to mitigate such confrontations and avert conflict, has been discussed for several years; however, negotiations spearheaded by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have progressed at a sluggish pace.