ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said he is optimistic that ASEAN and China can conclude the negotiations on the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) this year.
In an interview with CGTN at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 in Singapore, Kao said both sides remain committed to advancing talks and stressed that finalizing the agreement serves the interests of ASEAN and China.
"We have been negotiating for the COC since 2017. And the goal was to conclude the COC negotiations within this year. Our member states on the ASEAN side and China have been working very hard together to conclude the COC. And I believe that we have a lot of confidence, I have a lot of optimism that we will be able to conclude this. It's for the interests of ASEAN in China to have the COC concluded. I think there's a commitment and there's interest there," the secretary-general said.
The push for the COC dates back to the early 2000s, following the 2002 Declaration of Conduct of Parties, a non-binding accord between ASEAN and China. The talks then stalled for years before regaining traction in 2017.
Kao also noted that special events will be held to mark the deepening ties between China and ASEAN.
"This year, what is important also I want to highlight is that this is the 5th anniversary of the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership. And we have to do a lot of activities in that regard. "
ASEAN chief expects conclusion of South China Sea COC negotiations this year
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Sunday emphasized that attacks on nuclear facilities are unacceptable and must stop to avoid the "very real risk of a nuclear accident."
In a post on social media platform X, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also described the Saturday strike as a "serious incident" that endangered key nuclear safety principles.
The post said an IAEA team inspected the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) after it was reportedly struck by a drone the previous day. The team observed damage to a metal access hatch on the exterior of a turbine building, as well as debris and burned fragments of optical fibers scattered on the ground.
Based on its observations, the team concluded that the damage was consistent with the impact of a drone strike.
The IAEA said that while a follow-up inspection inside the turbine building was interrupted by nearby drone activity and gunfire, its experts confirmed that radiation levels at the site remained normal. Measurements showed no immediate radiological threat.
Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom said on Saturday that a Ukrainian drone hit the turbine island of Unit 6 at the ZNPP, but Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces denied Russia's allegation. International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi expressed serious concern over the reported strike, warning that attacks on nuclear facilities are "like playing with fire."
The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe's largest nuclear power facilities, has been under Russian control since March 2022.
IAEA chief urges "stop" to nuclear sites attacks after Zaporizhzhia drone strike
IAEA chief urges "stop" to nuclear sites attacks after Zaporizhzhia drone strike
