ASEAN Summit: Handle South China Sea issue proactively - Najib

ASEAN should handle the South China Sea dispute issue in a proactive, positive and constructive manner.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said ASEAN should handle differences such as overlapping maritime claims without adding stress among its member countries.

He added that the step was needed to ensure a continuous cooperation with countries outside of ASEAN.

“Respecting international laws including the maritime laws by the United Nation Convention should be the basis for any involvement and activity done at the South China Sea.

“As the chairman, Malaysia hopes that we will be able to achieve development in our effort towards an early conclusion to the Code of Conduct (CoC),” said Najib in his speech at the opening of the 26th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today.

Najib also encouraged all ASEAN countries to cooperate to ensure that the ‘Asian Century’ also becomes the ‘ASEAN Century’.