Malaysia urges South China Sea code talks to be finalized by 2026 target

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South China Sea Code Talks

Highlights

Malaysia, which has co-chaired the negotiations since 2024, urges ASEAN and China to renew their commitment to finalize the South China Sea Code of Conduct by the end of 2026.
South China Sea code talks have accelerated this year, with monthly negotiating sessions, but the code’s nature and geographic scope remain undecided.
Malaysia’s statement comes as ASEAN faces pressure over its credibility due to the Myanmar crisis, with two new proposals under discussion in 2024 in line with the mandate of the 48th ASEAN Summit.

This article was translated from the original. Read the original version by our correspondent here.

Renewed push in regional negotiations

As reported by The Edge Malaysia, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan urged ASEAN and China to renew their political commitment and redouble efforts to finalize the draft South China Sea Code of Conduct as soon as possible. He said negotiations had intensified this year, with talks held every month.

He said key issues, including the nature of the proposed code and its geographic scope, remained unresolved and required urgent attention. Malaysia, which has co-chaired the negotiations since 2024, said it was working closely with other ASEAN member states and China to steer the talks toward an effective and substantive COC within the aspirational three-year timeframe agreed in 2023.

ASEAN and China aim to conclude the negotiations by the end of 2026. Mohamad said renewed political commitment was crucial, particularly in the final stages, which he described as critical.

Impact on ASEAN’s broader agenda

Malaysia’s statement comes as ASEAN also faces pressure over its regional credibility in addressing the Myanmar crisis. Mohamad said the crisis remained one of the bloc’s most urgent challenges to its unity and credibility.

He called for clear objectives and measurable progress in implementing the Five-Point Consensus, which remains ASEAN’s primary reference on Myanmar. He said ASEAN senior officials were now discussing two proposals under the mandate agreed by ASEAN leaders at the 48th ASEAN Summit in May.

The two proposals concern the terms of reference for the proposed ASEAN Special Envoy on Myanmar and ASEAN elements for assessing progress in Myanmar. These developments show that regional security and diplomacy remain a major test of ASEAN’s ability to reach concrete policy decisions.

In an earlier article, we explained the ASEAN Drug Security initiative, led by Malaysia, to strengthen regional supplies of essential medicines.

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