New public sea row rises

Be vigilant against inflamed US-led public opinion about the South China Sea

BEIJING, China (Global Times) — Some Western media outlets have launched a new wave of public opinion offensive against China.

A CNN report on Monday hyped up a standoff between China and Malaysia in the South China Sea that has lasted more than a month. Even though this was old news that took place earlier this year, CNN criticized China for its “growing aggression” and “forcefulness,” which are “partly driven by the global coronavirus pandemic.”

Malaysia is one of the South China Sea claimants. Compared with countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines, Malaysia has been regarded as a low-profile pragmatist when it comes to the South China Sea issue. The country has played it safe.

Policies pursued by Malaysia include: First, the South China Sea dispute is not at the top agenda of dialogues between Beijing and Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is more willing to take chances of political dialogues to promote pragmatic cooperation with China. Second, oil and gas exploration is a priority for Malaysia’s South China Sea policies. Third, the country is not keen on sensationalizing the South China Sea disputes. Large protests triggered by the South China Sea differences are rarely seen in Malaysia. Fourth, Malaysia has taken a positive attitude toward promoting consultations and preventative diplomacy among South China Sea claimants. It has played a relatively proactive role in negotiations regarding the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein in April called for peaceful means amid the China-Malaysia standoff, and reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to peace in the disputed waters.

In December 2019, the country submitted an extended shelf claim in the South China Sea to the UN’s Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, seeking to establish the outer limits of its legal continental margin beyond the 200 nautical mile limit.

Breaking with past postures, Malaysia has now begun exploration and development of oil and gas in waters near the Wan’an Tan in the Nansha Islands, an area disputed by China, Malaysia and Vietnam. Moreover, Malaysia has become increasingly vigilant toward China for the latter’s measures to safeguard its legitimate rights in the South China Sea.

However, the changes in Malaysia’s South China Sea policies don’t mean the country lacks understanding of the complexities and sensitivities of the South China Sea issue. In fact, Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein in April called for peaceful means amid the ChinaMalaysia standoff, and reaffirmed

Malaysia’s commitment to peace in the disputed waters.