East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta listens to a question during an interview with The Associated Press in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has urged all claimant states in the South China Sea to "freeze their claims” and work towards transforming the disputed waters into a zone of peace and cooperation.
"For the sake of the region, freeze your claims and work towards a South China Sea that is free of confrontation,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, which concluded here on Tuesday (Oct 28).
"The moment one country or another seeks separate solutions with a superpower, Asean weakens. My advice is to stay united... consult more, talk more and act together.”
Ramos-Horta said that while none of the claimant states, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, or China, are likely to withdraw their claims, the focus should be on dialogue, restraint and cooperation.
He also called for a reduction in military presence and urged all naval forces to "enter in peace” when navigating the waters, keeping the South China Sea open as a free passage for all.
The Timor-Leste leader further appealed to Adrsn and China to turn the area into a "sea of peace and partnership”, highlighting the urgency of curbing overfishing and protecting marine biodiversity.
"China’s prosperity depends on peace and stability in Asia and beyond. I trust China and the United States can help make the South China Sea a zone of cooperation,” he added.
Regarding the South China Sea issue, Malaysia, as Chair, consistently maintained that it should be addressed not with defensiveness, but through a commitment to dialogue.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has on several occasions acknowledged that Malaysia has outstanding maritime border issues not only with China, but also with Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines, a reflection of the country’s unique geographical position.
Despite these difficulties, Anwar said that the line of communication is always open to prevent any escalation of the disputes. - Bernama
