China and ASEAN Accelerate Efforts for Nonaggression Pact and Free Trade Area in South China Sea
China and ASEAN have agreed to work towards concluding a nonaggression pact within three years to prevent territorial disputes in the South China Sea from escalating into armed conflicts. The agreement was reached during a meeting between China's top diplomat Wang Yi and the foreign ministers of the 10 ASEAN member countries in Jakarta. The negotiations for a code of conduct will be completed by fall 2026, according to a Southeast Asian diplomat.