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New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean unity offers fresh momentum for South China Sea conduct, says expert
KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time, Asean is presenting a united front in pushing for the long-delayed South China Sea Code of Conduct (CoC), an initiative aimed at easing tensions in the disputed waters. Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said this show of unity underscores the challenges in finalising the CoC, even after 15 years of negotiations. "The framework for the CoC was agreed upon a few years ago, but it stopped there; it was not a full agreement. "The Foreign Minister (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) said Asean is confident that an effective and substantive CoC can be concluded in the near future time and this reflects how difficult it is to reach an agreement in this particular case. "This is also the first time, under Malaysia's chairmanship, that the CoC has a real chance of being concluded," he told the New Straits Times today. Earlier, Mohamad, in his keynote address at the Asean Post Ministerial Conference with China, said the economic bloc is confident that an effective and substantive CoC can be concluded, in the not-too-distant future, with the full commitment of all parties in negotiations. Mohamad also said the bloc welcomed the progress of the CoC and expressed hope for continuous positive momentum. Last year, Mohamad said Malaysia, together with Asean member states, is negotiating the CoC framework with China to prevent conflict in the South China Sea. The framework aims to maintain peace while respecting individual territorial claims and is developed without prejudice to the territorial and maritime claims of each nation. The negotiations are carried out by Asean member states and China through the Asean Joint Working Group, the Asean-China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and the Asean-China Senior Officials Meeting on the implementation of the DOC. Malaysia serves as the co-chair in negotiating the draft COC. Commenting further, Azmi said that while Malaysia, the current Asean chair, is likely to see the CoC finalised during its tenure, the document could be accelerated during the Philippines chairmanship. "With China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other key players attending the AMM, Malaysia can help build momentum.
The Star
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Mohamad Hasan: Asean confident in South China Sea code of conduct progress
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean is confident of concluding an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea in the "not-too-distant future," says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Mohamad also noted Asean's positive reception of the progress on the COC in the South China Sea. "We are confident that with the full commitment of all parties in the negotiations, we should be able to conclude an effective and substantive COC, in the not-too-distant future," said Mohamad during his opening remarks at the Asean Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) with China at KLCC on Thursday (June 10). Mohamad highlighted that global peace is becoming more fragile, and efforts should be doubled to ensure peace and stability in the Asean region are maintained. "Towards this end, Asean calls on all parties to manage the situation in the South China Sea with wisdom and prudence," he added. Additionally, Mohamad commended China's readiness to sign and ratify the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) treaty, marking a milestone in non-proliferation efforts. Malaysia welcomes China's readiness to become the first nuclear-weapon state (NWS) to sign and ratify the SEANWFZ treaty, Mohamad said. "This would mark a significant step forward, demonstrating China's leadership and commitment to a nuclear-weapon-free Southeast Asia," he said. Mohamad also stated that, based on shared aspirations and norms, Asean and China have continued to ensure that the region remains peaceful, stable, and prosperous. "The many challenges that we face should reinforce this commitment we share, which is more important today, in light of the increasingly uncertain global environment," he added. He mentioned that the upcoming signing of the Asean-China Free Trade Area 3.0 is timely. "Through this agreement, Asean and China will be able to fortify our economic cooperation and resilience during these challenging times and beyond. "As the country coordinator for Asean-China dialogue relations, Malaysia is committed to working with all Asean member states and China to further advance this partnership that delivers real benefits to our peoples," Mohamad added. Last year, Asean and China remained each other's largest trading partners for the fourth consecutive year, with total trade reaching US$770.94bil (RM3.27tril), an increase of 10.61% from the year before.
