Malaysia calls for resolution of East Sea disputes based on int’l law
Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishamuddin Hussein on July 16 affirmed his country’s consistent position that parties should work together to ensure peace, security and stability in the East Sea (South China Sea).
Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishamuddin Hussein (Photo: Reuters)
Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishamuddin Hussein on July16 affirmed his country’s consistent position that parties should work togetherto ensure peace, security and stability in the East Sea (South China Sea).
In a pressrelease on Malaysia’s stance on the July 13 statement of US Secretary of StateMike Pompeo on the East Sea issue, Hishamuddin stressed that Malaysia would continue to play an active role in ensuring thatthe East Sea remains a sea of peace and trade.
Matters relating to the East Sea must be resolved peacefully based on theuniversally recognised principles of international law, including the UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, he said.
"Malaysia looks forward to continuing the discussions to conclude aneffective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea that wouldencompass elements which reflect the rights and interests of all parties,” hestated.
The FM added that Malaysia’sdiplomatic efforts have forced Chinese survey vessel Haiyang Dizhi 8 and its escorts to leavethe West Capella last May./.
US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo affirmed on July 13 that the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam) are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them.
Vietnam welcomes other countries’ stance on the East Sea issue in line with international law, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said on July 15.
Australia will continue to strongly advocate the freedom of navigation through the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam), Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on July 16.
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Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishamuddin Hussein (Photo: Reuters) 
