Regional and international partners gathered at the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea, held from November 5 to 7 to re-affirm support for a rules-based maritime order and stronger security co-operation amid rising tensions in the disputed waters.
Transparency policy gains wide recognition
According to reports from the Philippine News Agency (PNA), the Philippines’ “assertive transparency” strategy, regularly publicising incidents in the South China Sea, earned praise from European diplomats attending the Manila Dialogue in Taguig City, Philippines.
Ambassador of the French Republic to the Philippines, Marie Fontanel said the approach had significantly increased global awareness of coercive actions in the region, allowing European governments and the public to better understand the stakes of the maritime dispute.
This policy not only deters misinformation but also supports ongoing capacity-building efforts between Manila and its partners.
By openly documenting incidents, the Philippines aims to foster a sense of accountability and collective vigilance across the international community.
Code of Conduct must protect wider maritime rights
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya underscored that the upcoming Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea must be fully aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He said it should also respect the rights and interests of nations that are not directly involved in the territorial disputes.
Endo emphasised that stability in the South China Sea is integral to regional peace and global trade and urged all parties to ensure that the COC remains inclusive, substantive and enforceable.
Security alliances seen as vital deterrents
A report by GMA News Online highlighted statements from Canadian and German envoys who warned that transparency alone cannot deter aggression.
Canada’s Ambassador David Hartman said that security alliances and collective deterrence are essential to preserving a “free and open rules-based maritime domain.”
Meanwhile, Germany’s Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke added that co-operation in training, information sharing and defence capability building must be strengthened to ensure credible deterrence.
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Broader co-operation through the Manila Dialogue
According to the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the official South China Sea Dialogue (SCSD) Secretariat, the Manila Dialogue serves as a Track 1.5 platform, bringing together diplomats, defence officials and academics to promote maritime co-operation.
The event underscored how transparency, legal frameworks and alliances together form the pillars of a sustainable regional order.
With the Philippines set to chair Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, participants stressed that Manila is uniquely positioned to advance both the COC negotiations and broader regional security co-operation.
The challenge, however, lies in converting shared principles into enforceable actions that can ensure lasting peace and stability in the South China Sea.
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