Freeze the claims, enter in peace: Ramos-Horta urges calm in South China Sea

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).