China and ASEAN make progress on South China Sea agreement

China and ASEAN countries have made progress in negotiations for a code of conduct in the South China Sea, but a final agreement will not be reached this year. The discussions, which began in 2005, aim to prevent conflicts in the disputed waters. Recent talks have resulted in a provisional agreement on about 80% of the document, but key issues remain unresolved, including geographical scope and legal binding status. Further negotiations are expected in 2027. The situation in the South China Sea is a significant topic at the upcoming ASEAN summit in Manila, where regional tensions and U.S.-China rivalry are also highlighted.