Regional peace and prosperity a shared responsibility among Asean member states, says Abang Johari

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg (second right) arriving at the state gala dinner, accompanied by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian (left) and Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin (second left). - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUCHING: Asean remains committed to fostering peace, stability and constructive cooperation in the South China Sea, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

The Sarawak Premier said this commitment was signified by the 24th Asean-China senior officials' meeting on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (SOM-DOC), taking place here from Aug 11 to 14.

"We are deeply honoured to host this important meeting here in Kuching.

"The Sarawak government is proud to be part of Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2025 and will always be firmly committed to advancing our nation's efforts," he said at a state gala dinner in conjunction with the meeting on Wednesday (Aug 13) night.

Abang Johari said Asean member states shared a responsibility to ensure that the South China Sea remains a place of peace and prosperity.

In this regard, he said, history had recorded the significance of the non-alignment policy emerging from the Bandung Conference in 1955, which led to the concept of Zopfan (Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality).

"I believe the spirit of Zopfan is still prevailing and present in Asean," he added.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin said Kuching was a significant venue for the SOM-DOC as Sarawak faced the South China Sea and was a neighbour to several Asean member states.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg posing for the Asean handshake with senior officers and delegates at the state gala dinner in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

"Sarawak's location means the state also has significant and direct interest in seeing a peaceful, stable and prosperous South China Sea," he said.

Amran said the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea was adopted by Asean and China in 2002, while negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) began in 2018.

He said these efforts reaffirmed both parties' commitment to respect international law, build trust and confidence among partners, resolve disputes by peaceful means and exercise self-restraint.

He added that the Code of Conduct would be a set of rules governing relations and cooperation with regard to the South China Sea.

"All these stem from our collective need to promote a peaceful, friendly and harmonious environment in the South China Sea for the better enhancement of peace, stability, economic growth and prosperity in our region and beyond.

"Therefore, we senior officials and delegates from Asean and China convened in Kuching this week to continue our work towards full implementation of the DOC and to move forward the negotiations towards the finalisation of the COC," Amran said.