Malaysia steps up efforts to finalise South China Sea code of conduct

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

VIENTIANE, July 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, as the country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, will intensify efforts to finalise the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said Malaysia, which assumed the role of country coordinator this year, aims to establish a code of conduct accepted by all parties.

"As the country coordinator along with China, Malaysia will intensify and increase negotiations with ASEAN partner countries to resolve any confusion or issues related to claims in the South China Sea as best as possible," he told Malaysian media here on Friday.

Earlier, all the ASEAN Foreign Ministers held a Post-Ministerial Conference meeting with 10 key dialogue partners at the National Convention Centre (NCC) here.

Besides Wang, other dialogue partners present at the Post-Ministerial Conference included Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell-Fontelles.

Malaysia wants any issues or problems related to territorial disputes in the South China Sea to be resolved through dialogue and negotiation.

Mohamad said that overall, all ASEAN countries have expressed that the South China Sea should be free from any form of control, especially in international waters.

"In a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, all ASEAN countries agreed that any issues regarding the South China Sea should be handled through negotiation. We must use dialogue and work together to present a unified ASEAN approach on the South China Sea.”

Mohamad emphasised Malaysia's commitment to peaceful dispute resolution based on universally recognised international law principles, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and easing tensions through constructive dialogue and negotiation.

The territorial affiliation of several islands and reefs in the South China Sea has been the subject of disputes between China, the Philippines and several other Asia Pacific countries for decades.

Significant oil and gas reserves have been found on the continental shelf of the islands, including the Paracel Islands, Thitu Island, the Scarborough Reef and the Spratly Islands, with the Whitson Reef being part of them.

In July 2016, following a claim filed by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China had no basis for territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The court ruled that the islands were not disputed territory and did not constitute an exclusive economic zone.

-- BERNAMA