KUALA LUMPUR: Asean is confident of concluding an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea in the "not-too-distant future," says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Mohamad also noted Asean's positive reception of the progress on the COC in the South China Sea.
"We are confident that with the full commitment of all parties in the negotiations, we should be able to conclude an effective and substantive COC, in the not-too-distant future," said Mohamad during his opening remarks at the Asean Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) with China at KLCC on Thursday (June 10).
Mohamad highlighted that global peace is becoming more fragile, and efforts should be doubled to ensure peace and stability in the Asean region are maintained.
"Towards this end, Asean calls on all parties to manage the situation in the South China Sea with wisdom and prudence," he added.
Additionally, Mohamad commended China’s readiness to sign and ratify the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) treaty, marking a milestone in non-proliferation efforts.
Malaysia welcomes China’s readiness to become the first nuclear-weapon state (NWS) to sign and ratify the SEANWFZ treaty, Mohamad said.
"This would mark a significant step forward, demonstrating China’s leadership and commitment to a nuclear-weapon-free Southeast Asia," he said.
Mohamad also stated that, based on shared aspirations and norms, Asean and China have continued to ensure that the region remains peaceful, stable, and prosperous.
"The many challenges that we face should reinforce this commitment we share, which is more important today, in light of the increasingly uncertain global environment," he added.
He mentioned that the upcoming signing of the Asean-China Free Trade Area 3.0 is timely.
"Through this agreement, Asean and China will be able to fortify our economic cooperation and resilience during these challenging times and beyond.
"As the country coordinator for Asean-China dialogue relations, Malaysia is committed to working with all Asean member states and China to further advance this partnership that delivers real benefits to our peoples," Mohamad added.
Last year, Asean and China remained each other’s largest trading partners for the fourth consecutive year, with total trade reaching US$770.94bil (RM3.27tril), an increase of 10.61% from the year before.
