China proposes deeper maritime cooperation with ASEAN in fisheries, research and coast guard collaboration to enhance South China Sea stability
KUALA LUMPUR: China aims to deepen practical maritime cooperation with ASEAN members to strengthen regional stability in the South China Sea.
Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said Beijing has been actively expanding collaboration in environmental protection, fisheries and marine scientific research.
He described these sectors as essential to sustaining long-term peace and prosperity during his address at the Maritime Institute of Malaysia South China Sea Conference 2025.
Ouyang proposed enhanced coast guard cooperation and joint maritime development to raise regional collaboration levels.
“China and Indonesia have reached important consensus on conducting joint development cooperation in the sea areas claimed by the two countries,” he said.
“China and Vietnam actively have cooperation in the non-sensitive areas at sea and strengthened cooperation in maritime search and rescue.”
The ambassador highlighted the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s first visit to China in June as producing good results.
He noted the upcoming second meeting of the China-Malaysia bilateral dialogue on South China Sea management will further explore practical cooperation.
Ouyang emphasized that dual-track communication and existing dialogue mechanisms can prevent misunderstandings.
He called for full implementation of the South China Sea Code of Conduct while promoting its consultation.
China has held 24 senior officials’ meetings and 49 joint working group meetings with ASEAN countries to implement the conduct code.
The South China Sea sees an estimated US$3.37 trillion worth of annual trade passing through its waters.
Approximately 500,000 merchant ships and over one million commercial flights use the crucial maritime route yearly. – Bernama
