Malaysia Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. (Photo: AFP/VNA)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia is firm with its stance that matters relating to the East Sea (known as the South China Sea internationally) must be resolved peacefully andconstructively, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on November 12.
It must beresolved in accordance with the universally recognised principles ofinternational law, including the United Nations Convention for the Law of theSea (UNCLOS) 1982, he said in his speech at the plenary session of the 37thASEAN Summit and related meetings hosted by Vietnam.
Malaysia is ofthe view that all parties need to work together to ensure that the sea remains the waters of peace, stability and trade.
The leader reiterated Malaysia's view thatwhile international law guarantees the freedom of navigation, the presence ofwarships and vessels in the sea has the potential to increase the tension that may, in turn, result inmiscalculations which may affect peace, security and stability in the region.
Muhyiddin alsonoted that ASEAN will remain a strategic player as a bloc in the ever-changinggeopolitical landscape, which can only be achieved when all member statescontinue to communicate and work as a united bloc.
He leadsMalaysia's delegation to the meetings which are held virtually, from KualaLumpur.
Themed “Cohesiveand Responsive ASEAN", this year's ASEAN Summit are held virtually due tothe COVID-19 pandemic./.
VNA
