‘All parties in South China Sea claims can resolve disputes jointly’

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia wants China and the relevant parties in the South China Sea maritime and territorial claims to find constructive ways to develop negotiations and consultations to resolve the disputes.

Wisma Putra, in a statement yesterday, said that Malaysia believed all parties could peacefully resolve disputes by full respect for diplomatic and legal processes.

“Malaysia believes that it is important to maintain peace, security and stability through the exercise of self-restraint in the conduct of activities that may further complicate disputes or escalate tension, and avoid the threat or use of force in the South China Sea,” said the statement, which was issued in response to Tuesday’s ruling by an international arbitral tribunal at The Hague that China has no histo­ric rights claim to resources within the South China Sea.

“Malaysia is fully committed and calls on all parties to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in its entirety; and the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea as agreed between China and Asean countries.”

Malaysia also cherished peace and stability in the South China Sea and believed that China and all re­levant parties can find constructive ways to develop healthy dialogues, negotiations and consul­tations while upholding the supre­macy of the rule of law for the peace, safety and security for the region.

The Philippines brought the case against China to an arbitral tribunal under the United Nations Con­vention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan are also claiming a stake in the area.

In another statement, the Ma­­laysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) called on the Philippines to engage China in further negotiation for a peaceful resolution.

Its president Tan Yew Sing commented that MCCC disagreed with the ruling, adding that they believed that “sovereignty claims should be put aside to pave way for joint development of the islands and territorial waters by all claimant countries.”