Latest news with #SouthChinaSeaCodeofConduct
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
South China Sea Code of Conduct moves forward amid tensions
KUALA LUMPUR: The third reading of the South China Sea Code of Conduct has been completed, amid ongoing tensions in the region, particularly between China and the Philippines. China Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the progress made had helped to effectively manage differences and maintain overall maritime stability. "We have completed the third reading of the Code of Conduct consultations, effectively managed differences, and maintained general stability at sea. "China has also joined hands with Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and other countries to combat transnational crimes such as online gambling and fraud, leading to deeper security cooperation," he said during his opening remarks at the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with China, held here today. Wang said that China looked forward to the signing of the Asean–China Free Trade Area 3.0 agreement, expected later this year.
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean unity offers fresh momentum for South China Sea conduct, says expert
KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time, Asean is presenting a united front in pushing for the long-delayed South China Sea Code of Conduct (CoC), an initiative aimed at easing tensions in the disputed waters. Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said this show of unity underscores the challenges in finalising the CoC, even after 15 years of negotiations. "The framework for the CoC was agreed upon a few years ago, but it stopped there; it was not a full agreement. "The Foreign Minister (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) said Asean is confident that an effective and substantive CoC can be concluded in the near future time and this reflects how difficult it is to reach an agreement in this particular case. "This is also the first time, under Malaysia's chairmanship, that the CoC has a real chance of being concluded," he told the New Straits Times today. Earlier, Mohamad, in his keynote address at the Asean Post Ministerial Conference with China, said the economic bloc is confident that an effective and substantive CoC can be concluded, in the not-too-distant future, with the full commitment of all parties in negotiations. Mohamad also said the bloc welcomed the progress of the CoC and expressed hope for continuous positive momentum. Last year, Mohamad said Malaysia, together with Asean member states, is negotiating the CoC framework with China to prevent conflict in the South China Sea. The framework aims to maintain peace while respecting individual territorial claims and is developed without prejudice to the territorial and maritime claims of each nation. The negotiations are carried out by Asean member states and China through the Asean Joint Working Group, the Asean-China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and the Asean-China Senior Officials Meeting on the implementation of the DOC. Malaysia serves as the co-chair in negotiating the draft COC. Commenting further, Azmi said that while Malaysia, the current Asean chair, is likely to see the CoC finalised during its tenure, the document could be accelerated during the Philippines chairmanship. "With China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other key players attending the AMM, Malaysia can help build momentum.
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Indonesia urges ASEAN unity to protect regional stability amid tensions
JAKARTA: Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has urged ASEAN to strengthen its unity and maintain its central role in preserving regional stability amid escalating geopolitical tensions. His remarks came during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Kuala Lumpur, where key issues such as the Myanmar crisis, South China Sea disputes, and transnational crime were discussed. 'ASEAN must reaffirm its role as the anchor of the regional order. Unity and centrality cannot be compromised,' Sugiono said in a statement from the ministry. He emphasised the need for immediate action to halt violence in Myanmar and ensure swift humanitarian aid delivery. Ministers at the retreat reiterated support for the Five-Point Consensus as a framework to resolve Myanmar's prolonged crisis. Additionally, concerns were raised over rising transnational crimes, including online scams linked to human trafficking and drug smuggling. Progress on the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) was welcomed, with Sugiono urging ASEAN to finalise a meaningful agreement. 'ASEAN must uphold its commitment to concluding a substantive and effective COC to ensure maritime stability,' he said. Amid global instability, Sugiono highlighted ASEAN's responsibility to safeguard citizens in conflict zones using existing emergency protocols. The retreat ended with a renewed pledge to foster regional resilience and peace. - Bernama
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
PM Anwar to open 58th AMM in KL with focus on regional concerns
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to open the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (58th AMM) on Wednesday, marking a key moment in Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. The event, themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' will gather foreign ministers from ASEAN nations, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. The opening ceremony will be followed by the 58th AMM Plenary Session and Retreat Session, chaired by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Discussions are expected to revisit progress on the South China Sea Code of Conduct and reinforce ASEAN unity. A highlight of the agenda is the signing of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), involving all ASEAN foreign ministers and Kao. The meetings, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from July 8 to 11, will host around 1,500 delegates. Myanmar's absence at the ministerial level is notable, with representation limited to a senior foreign ministry official. Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister will attend as an observer. This gathering is one of the largest diplomatic assemblies in the region, focusing on security, sustainability, and cooperation. Malaysia's fifth ASEAN chairmanship underscores its leadership role, having previously held the position in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. - Bernama
BusinessToday
31-05-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
Malaysia Anchors ASEAN's Call For Rules In South China Sea
Malaysia is stepping up efforts to advance the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) and uphold the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. In a keynote speech delivered on his behalf by Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chief executive officer Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid at the ASEAN Business Forum 2025, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia is also strengthening its engagements with strategic partners across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Europe, and the United States. 'The recent ASEAN–GCC–China Summit has also positioned our region as a bridge between Asia, the Middle East, and beyond,' he said. 'This trilateral partnership offers an opportunity to combine China's technology and infrastructure capacity, the GCC's energy and capital, and ASEAN's market and industrial dynamism into a new engine for growth and resilience.' He added that ASEAN's newly operational Geoeconomics Task Force — co-chaired by Malaysia and Indonesia — is already offering real-time economic analysis, scenario modelling, and coordinated policy advice to help the bloc manage risks and seize emerging opportunities. Tengku Zafrul also stressed that ASEAN ministers have 'reaffirmed an unwavering commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core'. 'Our joint statements underscore a mature, forward-looking approach as ASEAN will respond to external shocks not with retaliation, but with deeper engagement, open dialogue, and collective solutions,' he said. Highlighting ASEAN's resilience, he concluded: 'As the world undergoes a profound realignment, ASEAN's unity and centrality matter more than ever. From the Asian Financial Crisis (in 1997) to the pandemic to the present day, ASEAN has shown the world that collective action, trust, and shared purpose are the bedrock of our success.' Related
