Latest news with #SouthChinaSeaCodeofConduct
Borneo Post
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
The South China Sea Code
Photo shows a chain of islands in the South China Sea. — AFP photo FIRST of all, I wish to join other Malaysians in congratulating Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, our Prime Minister, for his recent success in securing the agreement of Thailand and Cambodia to stop fighting, For a while, anyway. At the time of writing this article, the ceasefire appeared to be holding. Secondly, I think there is a job that Malaysia should also attempt, as Chairman of Asean. The success in the peace-making is no mean achievement for our country, showing the relevance of Malaysia's role in international diplomacy. All this success at diplomacy should embolden our diplomats to think about embarking on another task – tuning the text of the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC). Asean leaders have been talking about this Code for the past 20 years or so, but have not been able to produce it for reasons only the diplomatic fraternity would talk about, out of hearing of the journalists. The COC is a mechanism for managing internal disputes among the littoral countries of Asean, namely the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and China. China's active participation in the discussion on the Code is crucial because all decisions reached at meetings will be binding on the countries concerned. Good relations and rapport between China and the Asean member countries are urgent because these Asean member countries lie inside the loop of the so-called 'Nine-Dash Line'; they must be set free as soon as possible. Asian and China's statesmen in the past wanted this region of the world to be classified as a Zone of Peace and Neutrality (ZOPAN). Why cannot it remain such for all times? The current leaders of the countries and China must show statesmanship if they want history to be kind to their leadership when they disappear from the scene. By 2018, the soft copy of the Code was put on the backburner until Singapore assumed the Asean Chair. According to a report by Reuters, quoted by The Borneo Post on Feb 8, 2018, the move to 'expedite negotiations on a code of conduct on China for the disputed South China Sea' had hit a snag. But this was eventually solved after China and Asean had decided on a negotiating framework. In fact, the parties had begun preliminary discussions on the Code itself. Unfortunately, the substantive discussions petered out. I don't know why. Meanwhile, China's activities in terms of building more and more islands/land reclamations in parts of the Sea, threats about an imminent invasion of Taiwan by China, and about the use of water cannons on Filipino fishers by Chinese patrol boats, made the littoral states nervous. To compound the anxiety, there has been intense competition for hegemony between China and the USA, the 'Big Boys'. More worries for the peoples of the Asean block. Hence the urgency for a rule to govern relations. We were relieved for a short time only when in 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague ruled that 'China's Nine-Dash Line had no legal basis', referring to a judgment in a case brought by the Philippines against China. But China simply rejected the ruling. Malaysia, if given the chance to handle the fine-tuning of the Code, has to be careful about making too much noise (fishing in troubled waters). We must avoid getting into trouble with China, or be seen as siding with other major powers. But the job is of such importance that the Chairman of Asean is expected to handle it, however difficult the task will be. The idea of the COC was seriously discussed in August of 2018. It should be a mechanism by which disputes would be managed, peace and stability be promoted among all the littoral states around the South China Sea. Reuters reported that 'China and the 10- member Asean block adopted a negotiating framework on the code and had commenced talks on the code itself'. That was seven years ago. It is a difficult issue to solve indeed but Malaysia, given another chance at diplomacy, has nothing to lose by trying! Try it we must for a reason – a good reason. The federal government of Malaysia might lose some credibility on the home front should Malaysia's national interests in Sarawak, now at stake, be relegated to the backburner – or worse, ignored. Don't forget that Sarawak and Sabah, with long shorelines facing the South China Sea, are well within the sights of any power that might want to enforce a Nine-Dash-Line! When Malaysia was about to assume the chairmanship of Asean, many people in Sarawak were wondering if the federal government had forgotten about the state's interests. These interests were subject to dispute by China, referring to the famous Nine-Dash-Line again. The preservation and protection of this nation's rights and interests over the territorial waters off Sarawak are fundamental to the future of the Federation itself. That's not just headline fodder, obviously Sarawak can't be expected to defend its own territory against possible attacks from the sea! It is essential that all the Asean countries, where the territorial waters are inside that Nine-Dash-Line, to come together and, in one voice, talk to China about mutual respect for each other's right to own property within one's boundary. * The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper. asean China nine-dash line south china sea
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
South China Sea Code of Conduct moves forward amid tensions
KUALA LUMPUR: The third reading of the South China Sea Code of Conduct has been completed, amid ongoing tensions in the region, particularly between China and the Philippines. China Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the progress made had helped to effectively manage differences and maintain overall maritime stability. "We have completed the third reading of the Code of Conduct consultations, effectively managed differences, and maintained general stability at sea. "China has also joined hands with Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and other countries to combat transnational crimes such as online gambling and fraud, leading to deeper security cooperation," he said during his opening remarks at the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with China, held here today. Wang said that China looked forward to the signing of the Asean–China Free Trade Area 3.0 agreement, expected later this year.
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 Sun
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Indonesia urges ASEAN unity to protect regional stability amid tensions
JAKARTA: Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has urged ASEAN to strengthen its unity and maintain its central role in preserving regional stability amid escalating geopolitical tensions. His remarks came during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Kuala Lumpur, where key issues such as the Myanmar crisis, South China Sea disputes, and transnational crime were discussed. 'ASEAN must reaffirm its role as the anchor of the regional order. Unity and centrality cannot be compromised,' Sugiono said in a statement from the ministry. He emphasised the need for immediate action to halt violence in Myanmar and ensure swift humanitarian aid delivery. Ministers at the retreat reiterated support for the Five-Point Consensus as a framework to resolve Myanmar's prolonged crisis. Additionally, concerns were raised over rising transnational crimes, including online scams linked to human trafficking and drug smuggling. Progress on the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) was welcomed, with Sugiono urging ASEAN to finalise a meaningful agreement. 'ASEAN must uphold its commitment to concluding a substantive and effective COC to ensure maritime stability,' he said. Amid global instability, Sugiono highlighted ASEAN's responsibility to safeguard citizens in conflict zones using existing emergency protocols. The retreat ended with a renewed pledge to foster regional resilience and peace. - Bernama
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
PM Anwar to open 58th AMM in KL with focus on regional concerns
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to open the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (58th AMM) on Wednesday, marking a key moment in Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. The event, themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' will gather foreign ministers from ASEAN nations, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. The opening ceremony will be followed by the 58th AMM Plenary Session and Retreat Session, chaired by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Discussions are expected to revisit progress on the South China Sea Code of Conduct and reinforce ASEAN unity. A highlight of the agenda is the signing of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), involving all ASEAN foreign ministers and Kao. The meetings, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from July 8 to 11, will host around 1,500 delegates. Myanmar's absence at the ministerial level is notable, with representation limited to a senior foreign ministry official. Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister will attend as an observer. This gathering is one of the largest diplomatic assemblies in the region, focusing on security, sustainability, and cooperation. Malaysia's fifth ASEAN chairmanship underscores its leadership role, having previously held the position in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. - Bernama
