Malaysia, China agree to 'pragmatic cooperation' In 1st dialogue on disputed waters

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - China and Malaysia held their first dialogue on the disputed South China Sea, and the two sides have reached "common understandings on promoting practical cooperation" in maritime affairs, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement on Thursday.

The talks were held in a resort city of Langkawi in northeastern Kedah state of Malaysia.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong and Malaysia's National Security Council Director General Datuk Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin co-chaired the meeting on Wednesday, with representatives from the two countries' key maritime departments in attendance.

This came as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed his country’s commitment to oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, despite objections from Beijing.

Earlier this week, Anwar in his address to the Malaysian Parliament emphasized that state energy firm Petronas would continue operations within the country’s exclusive economic zone, including the Kasawari gas field off the coast of Sarawak in East Malaysia.

“We will continue, but we will not close the door on discussions with any country,” Anwar said.

Anwar emphasized that Malaysia’s disputes in the region are not limited to China and that these territorial disagreements do not impact diplomatic or trade relationships with neighboring countries.

Last month, a diplomatic note from Beijing appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer allegedly demanding that Malaysia halt activities in an oil-rich area claimed by China.