KUALA LUMPUR: China supports the formulation of a code of conduct for the South China Sea, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said the view was conveyed by China's National Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun during the Asean-China Defence Ministers' Luncheon on Friday (Oct 31).
"During the luncheon, he stated clearly that China supports the formulation of a code of conduct for the South China Sea.
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"You have to ask him... to elaborate on the matter," he told reporters after the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM).
Asked about his views on greyzone tactics, Khaled said he only noted the view of US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during the Malaysia-United States bilateral talks on Thursday (Oct 30).
"I only took note of the view that he conveyed, that greyzone tactics – such as hydrographic research conducted under the protection of foreign coast guard vessels – threaten sovereignty and are a clear provocation and threat," he said.
On issues in the South China Sea, Khaled said Asean must address any threat or challenge as one.
"To be a respected bloc, we must have the same voice and objective.
"Every party must respect international laws," he said.
When met after the press conference, Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar said that ties between Malaysia and China were still strong despite the tension over incidents in the South China Sea.
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"We're handling it either through diplomatic notes or our own means, but we're handling it so far," he said, adding that Wisma Putra would be responsible for responses from the diplomatic notes.
He added that the matter was also discussed openly during meetings.
"Whenever we have a meeting, we discuss it openly and they (China) understood," he said, adding that ties had not been affected.
"It has not hampered the relationship that we have with China.
"We are working on certain agreements for bilateral exercises, and we are looking into equipment procurement and so forth.
"We already have one more joint military exercise on national disaster next year, and probably... more exercises between us on interoperability and so on," he said.
