Kuala Lumpur: China and Malaysia have reaffirmed their commitment to resolving South China Sea disputes through peaceful means, as outlined in a joint statement marking the conclusion of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia.
The statement comes amid longstanding tensions over Chinese vessels operating near Malaysian state energy firm Petronas’ offshore projects. Despite these encounters, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has maintained that exploration within the country’s exclusive economic zone will proceed as planned, regardless of Beijing’s objections.
President Xi’s stop in Malaysia is part of a broader Southeast Asian tour, which also included Vietnam and concludes in Cambodia. During his visit, both nations highlighted the importance of completing negotiations on a South China Sea code of conduct between China and ASEAN by next year—a process that began in earnest only 15 years after it was first proposed in 2002.
The South China Sea remains a flashpoint, with China asserting sweeping claims that overlap with the exclusive economic zones of several ASEAN nations, including Malaysia. A 2016 international tribunal invalidated these claims, but China has refused to acknowledge the ruling.
Throughout Xi’s regional tour, a consistent theme has been support for multilateralism and opposition to protectionist policies. In line with this, the joint statement emphasized deepening cooperation through institutions such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, and BRICS. It also denounced unilateral trade barriers and arbitrary tariffs that contravene WTO guidelines.
Additionally, Malaysia reiterated its recognition of the "One China" policy, affirming its stance against any moves toward Taiwan’s independence. The joint communiqué also addressed the situation in the Middle East, declaring Gaza an integral part of Palestinian territory and calling for full implementation of ceasefire agreements.
