ASEAN and China are finalising the South China Sea Code of Conduct, with a deal expected this year, says Malaysia’s foreign minister
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN and China are in the final phase of finalising the Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan told the Dewan Rakyat the matter is expected to be concluded this year, involving only countries with direct interests in the area.
“On the South China Sea, we do not want individual countries to try to resolve the issue. We are using what is called the ASEAN-led mechanism,” he said during a question-and-answer session.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) regarding Malaysia’s proposals to safeguard stability and peace in ASEAN.
Commenting on a claim that ASEAN had failed to address conflicts among members, Mohamad said the term “failed” was inaccurate.
He cited the resolved border issue between Thailand and Cambodia, where Malaysia acted as a facilitator at the request of both countries.
“We are no longer ASEAN Chair, as the Philippines assumed the chairmanship in 2026, but both countries still want Malaysia as a facilitator,” he said.
Mohamad added he had requested the relevant parties to submit a letter asking Malaysia to act as a facilitator in resolving the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.
Regarding Myanmar, he said ASEAN did not recognise the elections held in late 2025 and early 2026 due to a lack of full participation from all parties.
“Malaysia also did not send representatives or observers to the elections, as we have already stated that they must allow full participation and not be selective,” he said.
