MANILA: Malaysia has called for renewed political will among Asean member states and China to expedite the finalisation of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said collective efforts must be intensified to conclude negotiations on an effective and substantive code.
“I urge we redouble our collective efforts, to finalise the draft COC as soon as possible.
“Renewed political will is imperative in achieving this goal, particularly at this final and critical stage,” he said in his intervention at the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) here yesterday.
Mohamad said Malaysia, which has served as co-chair of the COC negotiations since 2024, had worked closely with Asean member states and China to advance the discussions.
He said negotiations had intensified this year, with meetings being held monthly in an effort to achieve the three-year aspirational timeline agreed upon in 2023.
“I wish to put on record that, as co-chair, Malaysia has made every effort to steer our collective objective, towards achieving an effective and substantive COC within the three-year aspirational timeline agreed in 2023,” he added.
However, Mohamad acknowledged that several key matters had yet to be resolved.
“Nonetheless, at this juncture, there still remain several outstanding issues that we need to resolve urgently.
“These include the ‘milestone issues’, and in particular, the nature and geographical scope of the COC,” he said.
The COC is intended to establish a framework for managing activities in the South China Sea and preventing incidents that could escalate tensions among claimant countries.
Negotiations between Asean and China have continued for more than two decades, following the adoption of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in 2002.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said the 29th Asean-China Summit was expected to adopt two joint statements, marking the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and establishing an energy cooperation partnership.
The summit would also welcome the entry into force of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement 3.0 Upgrade Protocol and note China’s proposal to designate 2027 as the Asean-China Year of AI Cooperation.
On regional security, Mohamad welcomed the impending accession of Slovakia, Slovenia and Latvia to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, while supporting the timely finalisation and entry into force of its Fourth Amending Protocol.
He also warned that geopolitical and economic fragmentation, alongside increasing cyber-attacks, underscored the need for Asean to strengthen its centrality and regional cooperation.
Malaysia also welcomed the signing of the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which he said would enhance regional digital connectivity, trade and economic competitiveness.
