Malaysia to push drafting code of conduct with China to settle maritime dispute

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, as the Asean Chairman, will push forward the drafting of a code of conduct (CoC) with China to settle the territorial maritime dispute in South China Sea, the Dewan Rakyat heard.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin (pic) said on Thursday that it was a crucial matter that had been repeatedly discussed between Asean countries as China had been seen as acting aggressively regarding the dispute.

"The Asean countries will discuss with China to draft a CoC at South China Sea.

"Malaysia as the chairman of Asean, will play an active role to ensure the matter is discussed comprehensively so all stakeholders regarding activities can be carried out peacefully, including China

"We will play our role so that the matter can be resolved amicably," he said in reply to a suplementary question from Datuk Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong), who asked the role that Malaysia will play as the Asean Chairman regarding the territorial maritime dispute in the South China Sea.

Hamzah said since 2013, China had been seen to take aggressive action causing many Asean countries think that it was timely for them to work together and discuss with China so the matter can be resolved in a responsible manner and not become a "flashpoint" in the region.

"This is because the area is being used by many countries for trading by many Asean countries as well as China, Japan and Korea," he said.

To the initial question from Noraini on the main focus of Malaysia as the Asean chairman, Hamzah said Malaysia would continue to renew and carry forward the Asean Declaration Blueprint in 2009 for post 2015.