Every time the topic of China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea is broached, temperatures spike in the cool ballrooms of the five-star hotel in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. It was the 36th Asia-Pacific Roundtable: An Age of Strategic Uncertainty meeting between international geopolitical experts organised by Malaysian think tank Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Isis) from Aug 8 to Aug 10. Held amidst smouldering China-United States tension, the roundtable was always expected to be a tinderbox of sorts. But a confrontation between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea on Aug 5 practically guaranteed an explosive clashing of minds. The panel moderators, ironically labelled “instigators”, have to remain constantly alert to douse flare-ups among speakers from China, the Philippines, the United States, and Vietnam, all of whom accuse China – in asserting its claims in the region – of continuously violating international laws by encroaching into exclusive economic zones of several South-East Asian countries.
Interestingly, however, such “enthusiasm” is not shared by Malaysia, whose involvement in the long-standing dispute over China’s controversial “nine-dash line” claims is well-established. “Malaysia has chosen to be pragmatic in this issue. We have our interests and do not want to be singled out as taking sides with any other party,” says Isis chairman Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah after the talks ended.
Malaysia and China have enjoyed strong economic ties ever since the country’s second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein’s maiden visit to China on May 28, 1974. And as seen from Malaysia-China bilateral trade which hit a record of US$203.6bil (RM947.1bil) in 2022, economic interests between the two countries remain unperturbed by the ongoing South China Sea disputes. As of now, China is Malaysia’s top trading partner, followed by Singapore and the United States.
Earlier this year, the Foreign Ministry, in allaying concerns about the South China Sea disputes, affirmed that Malaysia is not budging from its position to protect the country’s sovereignty and interests in maritime areas as outlined in the 1979 Map. “Malaysia firmly holds the view that matters relating to the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully and constructively, per the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS],” it stated. The ministry also highlighted the government’s commitment to resolving the issue peacefully.
Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principal advisor Dr Oh Ei Sun says this has resulted in a continuous, conducive economic environment between Malaysia and China. “We protest on the most egregious incursions and usually we deal with them behind closed doors, and China appreciates that, I think, as opposed to Vietnam and the Philippines which typically would deal with things in a very ‘loud’ manner. “So in that sense, our economic relations with China remain very strong. Overall, bilateral relations are very cordial.” Oh agrees that to a certain extent, Malaysia’s non-belligerent approach to this situation contributes to allaying the risks of wider geopolitical consequences in the region, such as the disruption of trade and services.
Prof Mohd Faiz says maritime territorial claims in the region are an issue that needs to be handled delicately, particularly at present with the ongoing rivalry between the United States and China over economy and security issues in the region. Otherwise, as pointed out by several observers, it could lead to military aggression. “The US-China rivalry has geopolitical implications, specifically for the South China Sea and Taiwan. “It has a quite direct [implication] particularly for Asean [countries]. And specifically for Malaysia, we have the so-called disputed areas in the South China Sea. So it is not just affecting Malaysia but other littoral states as well,” says Prof Mohd Faiz. He adds that all parties must abide with the law, especially UNCLOS, to prevent geopolitical tensions from festering. “We are saying this to all parties, including China, that the law must be observed. We cannot let geopolitical tensions take place, as there are countries with sovereign and economic interests to protect.
Prof Mohd Faiz adds that it is understood that Malaysia is also looking beyond the BRI in its partnership with China, especially on spurring the Blue Economy – sustainable use of the ocean as an economic resource – as part of Malaysia’s overall plans to meet its Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs are a collection of 17 interlinked goals that form a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity” for all). Oh foresees that trade volume between Malaysia and China will continue to grow despite the South China Sea disputes. “Malaysia values its bilateral relations with China because they are our largest trading partner as well as our most significant investor. Always, whenever you deal with this South China Sea issue, you need to keep this in mind. “There are still protests and negotiations, typically behind the scenes and not in front of the camera,” he adds.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
