Malaysian, Philippine top diplomats meet amid South China Sea tensions

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) – Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan met with his Philippine counterpart Enrique A. Manalo in the Philippines on Monday, amid rising tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea.

The top diplomats reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional and international issues, including the situations in Myanmar and Palestine, the two foreign ministries said in separate statements. Discussions on tensions in the South China Sea were not mentioned in the statements.

Malaysia opposes external interference in the South China Sea and promotes regional dialogue in response to China's maritime claims.

As the future chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025, Kuala Lumpur aims to shape the 10-state organization's response to these disputes.

Territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea involve conflicting claims by several ASEAN nations, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

Recently, the Philippine military accused China of attacking soldiers with knives and tools while using disorienting sirens and lights.

Escalating tensions over the disputed West Philippine Sea have drawn US support for the Philippines, leading to accusations from China that the US is backing Manila's "provocations."