The Foreign Ministry of Malaysia stated that Malaysia does not recognize China’s claims in the South China Sea, as depicted in the “China Standard Map Edition 2023.” These claims also extend to Malaysia’s maritime areas. Wisma Putra, in a statement released on Wednesday, emphasized that the map does not hold any binding authority over Malaysia.
According to the statement, the map displays China’s unilateral maritime claims that overlap with Malaysia’s maritime areas in Sabah and Sarawak. Malaysia, however, rejects any foreign party’s claims to sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over maritime features or areas based on the 1979 Malaysia New Map.
Regarding the South China Sea issue, Malaysia has consistently viewed it as complex and sensitive. The statement highlights the need for peaceful and rational management of this matter through dialogue and negotiations based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
The statement further affirms Malaysia’s commitment to cooperating with all parties involved in implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea comprehensively and effectively. Additionally, Malaysia is dedicated to engaging in substantive negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) to finalize it as soon as possible.
The “China Standard Map Edition 2023” was issued by the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources on Monday. This map also includes the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) maritime areas of Malaysia near Sabah and Sarawak, as well as those of Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and some areas in India.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
