Malaysia calls for calm in South China Sea, lauds ASEAN-China trade and security progress

MALAYSIA has reiterated its call for wisdom and restraint in managing tensions in the South China Sea, while welcoming growing economic and strategic cooperation between ASEAN and China, during the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with China held in the Malaysian capital.

Delivering the country’s opening statement, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan warmly welcomed His Excellency Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, and reaffirmed the strength of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, describing it as “one of ASEAN’s most substantive and dynamic partnerships, built on mutual trust, shared interests and growing economic interdependence.”

“In light of the increasingly uncertain global environment, the many challenges we face should reinforce our shared commitment to ensuring that the region remains peaceful, stable and prosperous,” the statement said.

Malaysia stressed that the fragility of global peace “is becoming more apparent by the day,” and urged all parties to redouble their efforts to maintain regional stability.

 In this regard, it said, ASEAN must act prudently to ensure that “geopolitical tensions do not escalate or threaten to undermine security and global trade in the South China Sea.”

Malaysia reiterated ASEAN’s call for “all parties to manage the situation in the South China Sea with wisdom and prudence,” while welcoming the ongoing progress in negotiations for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the disputed waters.

“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,” the statement added.

On the security front, Malaysia also highlighted concerns over the global erosion of trust in non-proliferation regimes and the rise in nuclear rhetoric, calling China’s readiness to be the first Nuclear Weapon State to sign and ratify the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty “a significant step forward.”

“This would mark a significant step forward, demonstrating China’s leadership and commitment to a nuclear-weapon-free Southeast Asia,” Malaysia noted.

Turning to economic relations, Malaysia praised the enduring strength of ASEAN-China trade ties. “ASEAN and China have remained each other’s largest trading partners for the fourth consecutive year,” with total trade reaching USD770.94 billion in 2024, a 10.61 percent increase from the year prior.

Nonetheless, Malaysia warned of growing threats to an open, fair and rules-based trading system, and said the upcoming signing of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0, set for later this year, would be “opportune” in strengthening resilience and economic cooperation.

“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,” the statement added. - July 10, 2025