Philippine defence minister doubts China's intent on South China Sea code

The Philippines doubts China's intention to negotiate a regional code of conduct in the South China Sea although Manila is looking forward to continuing discussions, Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro said on Monday. Teodoro said that while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had approved "good-faith discussions" with China over the long-delayed code, he doubted Beijing's sincerity. "Right now, honestly speaking, I do not see that," Teodoro told reporters.