South China Sea: Malaysia can play key role in bringing China to negotiating table

Malaysia can play a key role in triggering diplomatic talks between China and the countries keen on resolving the disputes in the South China Sea, according to Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) College of Law, Government and International Studies Dean, Assoc. Prof Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed.

He said Malaysia which has good trade and diplomatic relations with China could play a role in bringing the superpower to the negotiating table in the interest of the region.

"China may be reluctant to negotiate with some ASEAN members because there some (ASEAN members) who have brought the matter to the international court.

"So as a good trading partner and having long diplomatic relations with China, Malaysia can lead the process of diplomatic negotiations between the parties interested in finding a solution," he told Bernama yesterday.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) based in The Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday ruled that China has no legal basis to claim 'historic rights' over the disputed waters near the Philippines in the South China Sea.

PCA also found that acts of aggression and Beijing's infrastructure construction in the area had violated the Philippines sovereign rights.

China rejected the decision describing it as fictitious and that it may act more aggressively after this to maintain its sovereignty and maritime interests.

China lays claim to nearly all of the resource-rich waters along the shipping routes in the South China Sea with trading value of approximately US$5 trillion a year. Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also lay overlapping claims to the some of the areas.

"Some say China will impose economic sanctions on countries which bring such matters to the international court, this is not only undermining small economies but the region's economy because China is a world economic power," Ahmad Martadha said.

In fact, he said China also plays an important role in curbing security threats including Daish militants in the ASEAN region with its military might.

In the meantime, International Islamic University Malaysia's Political Science Department head, Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar said all stakeholders should return to the negotiating table to resolve the dispute in a 'win-win situation'.