The proposed COC aims to set out some rules to prevent the growing disputes in the South China Sea. (Source: DVIDS)

"We are all politically committed to achieving a code of conduct by next year. But we will see. We will do our best," Foreign Minister Manalo said in a surprise interview, according to the Philippine news network Inquirer .

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According to Foreign Minister Manalo, there are a number of issues that require consensus from all countries to complete the COC.

“But as the President said, we still have to address important issues such as the scope, the nature of the COC and its relationship to the 2002 declaration of principles on the South China Sea,” he added.

This month, ASEAN and China held three days of talks in Manila on the draft COC.

The proposed code of conduct is intended to set some rules to prevent the growing disputes in the South China Sea from spiraling out of control and escalating into a major armed conflict. However, negotiations have been delayed and dragged on for more than a decade.

The Philippines is scheduled to host the annual ASEAN Summit in 2026. "The meeting is an opportunity for Manila to strongly call for adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award," the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said.