China and Malaysia have both reaffirmed their common commitment to peace and stability in the South China Sea. They reaffirmed this after an official visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia. The two countries agreed that peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and respect for one another remain of utmost concern. They promoted that efforts to manage differences should continue under the cover of international law, namely the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In discussions, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim assured that Petronas will proceed with its energy operations in the nation’s exclusive economic zone. This follows recent encounters between Chinese vessels off Malaysian offshore projects. The two countries reasserted that they will not escalate despite the incidents and will proceed with diplomatic negotiations.
The joint statement also highlights mutual encouragement to complete a code of conduct for the South China Sea. The objective is to reach an agreement with ASEAN members within one year with the vision of improving long-term maritime cooperation and reducing the risk of conflict.
Apart from maritime affairs, the declaration addressed trade and international cooperation. The two opposed single-country bans on trade and supported fair methods in the framework of official global organizations such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, and BRICS. The nations made their declarations of interest in furthering their cooperation on other multilateral platforms.
On geopolitical issues, Malaysia reaffirmed its one-China policy and clarified that it did not favor Taiwanese independence in any form or fashion. The two governments also recognized Gaza as Palestinian territory and urged compliance with the current ceasefire agreement.
President Xi’s visit to Malaysia followed trips to Vietnam and Cambodia, where regional development and cooperation were also discussed. Throughout these visits, China continued to express support for inclusive economic frameworks and peaceful international engagement.
The joint statement is a sequel to Chinese and Malaysian diplomatic initiatives towards regional security, fair trade, and multilateral relations free from coercion by threat of force or single-handed action. The statement is evidence of the two nations’ desire to nurture regional cooperation through official negotiations and juridical agreements.
