ASEAN Calls For Prudence In South China Sea, Lauds Progress On COC

By Samantha Tan

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- ASEAN on Thursday called for all parties involved in the South China Sea to exercise “wisdom and prudence” in managing the delicate situation in the strategic waterway, to ensure that geopolitical tensions do not escalate.

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the fragility of global peace is becoming more apparent by the day, and therefore ASEAN must redouble its efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region are maintained.

"We must therefore ensure that geopolitical tensions do not escalate or threaten to undermine security and global trade in the South China Sea," he said in his opening remarks at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with China in conjunction with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings here on Thursday.

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, led his delegation at the high-level meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

Mohamad said ASEAN welcomed the progress on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) and hopes for continued positive momentum.

"We are confident that with the full commitment of all parties in the negotiations, we should be able to conclude an effective and substantive COC in the not-too-distant future," he said.

Mohamad also addressed the growing global concerns over nuclear weapons and the non-proliferation regime, saying that ASEAN welcomes China’s readiness to become the first Nuclear Weapon State (NWS) to sign and ratify the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty without reservations.

"This would mark a significant step forward, demonstrating China’s leadership and commitment to a nuclear weapon-free Southeast Asia," he said.

He added that Malaysia, as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, is committed to working with all ASEAN member states and China to further advance the partnership to deliver real benefits to the peoples.

-- BERNAMA