MANILA, Nov 14 – Malaysia has called on ASEAN member states and China to strengthen their political commitment and speed up negotiations to finalise the proposed Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said negotiations had become more frequent this year, with discussions taking place every month.
However, several important issues remain unresolved. These include the legal nature of the proposed agreement and the geographical areas it will cover.
Malaysia has co-chaired the negotiations since 2024. Mohamad said the country had been working closely with ASEAN members and China to develop an effective and meaningful agreement.
He urged all parties to increase their efforts, particularly as negotiations enter a critical stage.
“Renewed political will is imperative in achieving this goal, particularly at this final and critical stage,” he said during his address at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila on Saturday.
ASEAN and China are aiming to conclude negotiations on the South China Sea Code of Conduct by the end of 2026.
Malaysia Calls for Clearer Progress on Myanmar Crisis
Mohamad also highlighted the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar, describing it as one of the biggest challenges to ASEAN’s unity and credibility.
He said ASEAN needed clear targets and measurable progress in implementing its Five-Point Consensus (5PC), which remains the bloc’s main framework for addressing the crisis.
The foreign minister stressed that progress should be assessed through concrete actions rather than commitments alone.
He added that ASEAN senior officials were discussing two proposals following a mandate from regional leaders at the 48th ASEAN Summit in May.
The proposals focus on the terms of reference for a proposed ASEAN Special Envoy on Myanmar and a framework to assess progress in the country.
Malaysia’s latest call reflects the need for stronger regional cooperation to address major security and political challenges, including tensions in the South China Sea and the continuing crisis in Myanmar.
Source : BERNAMA | Rewritten By Minutesmy
