China has expressed appreciation for Malaysia's constructive involvement in advancing negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, with discussions entering a pivotal phase aimed at securing long-term regional stability.
China's Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing made the remarks during a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, highlighting that Beijing and Kuala Lumpur have maintained robust communication channels while jointly progressing the COC talks. He underscored that the agreement would serve as a fundamental institutional framework for preserving peace in the strategically important waterway.
"China commends Malaysia for its constructive role as co-chair of the mechanism on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," Ouyang said, responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent statement about Malaysia's commitment to accelerating the negotiation process.
The ambassador noted that bilateral maritime dialogue has intensified since the previous year, with both nations actively exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation on maritime management issues across the South China Sea. With negotiations now at a crucial juncture, all participating nations aim to conclude discussions within the established timeline, he added.
Several ASEAN leaders have publicly expressed optimism about finalising the COC framework during the current year. China remains committed to collaborating with Malaysia and other stakeholders to advance the negotiations while addressing concerns and identifying shared interests, Ouyang said.
The ambassador also highlighted the strengthening of bilateral relations, particularly following President Xi Jinping's state visit to Malaysia the previous year. High-level diplomatic exchanges have reached unprecedented levels, with Premier Li Qiang making two visits to Malaysia while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has travelled to China four times since assuming office, demonstrating the deepening engagement between the two nations' leadership and expansion of cooperative initiatives.
