India, Nov. 15 -- By Sahil Pandey

Manila [Philippines], November 15 (ANI): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday called for stronger maritime cooperation among ASEAN member states and efforts towards an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Addressing the opening plenary of the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila, Marcos identified maritime cooperation and regional security as key priorities under the Philippines' ASEAN chairmanship, emphasising the need to reinforce regional norms and dialogue to maintain peace, stability and security.

"Under peace and security anchors, we have focused o...