Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024, China and Malaysia continue to develop their bilateral relations in every opportunity and in every field. On November 7, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, emphasizing that they are friends with a common vision, announced that they would contribute to regional stability and prosperity. [1] While there is almost a new development every day in the South China Sea, where both sides claim rights, their friendship has been further strengthened through joint statements. Despite the long-standing territorial claims and conflicts in the South China Sea, it can be observed that the China-Malaysia friendship has been steadily strengthening and mutual support has been increasing.
Malaysia’s stance in the context of the South China Sea has been lower-profile compared to Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Malaysia has pursued a quiet diplomacy in the South China Sea issues, in contrast to the reactions shown by other countries over the years. Due to its continuously open channels of dialogue with China and its inclination towards reconciliation, it has managed its relations quite successfully and has largely prevented tensions in the region. At the point of resolving a possible dispute, both sides avoid conflict and resort to diplomatic means. In this context, despite the overlap of some of Malaysia’s maritime jurisdiction areas east of the South China Sea with China’s “Nine-Dash Line,” it has not engaged in any military conflict.
Malaysia pursues its claims in the South China Sea within the framework of international maritime law, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). [2] When examining Malaysia’s regional strategy, which seeks a solution through diplomatic and legal means and follows a strategy that can be described as almost diametrically opposed to that of Vietnam and the Philippines, it can be said that Malaysia adopts a pragmatic policy.
There are many reasons why Malaysia is not as reactive to China’s territorial claims as other countries. First of all, the fact that China and Malaysia are engaged in economic cooperation on many major projects, including the Belt and Road Initiative, can be put forward. In addition to being aware of China’s increasing economic capacity, Malaysia has not engaged in any military conflict with China in the South China Sea recently, unlike other countries. [3] For this reason, there may be a perception that Malaysia remains unresponsive compared to other countries that frequently engage in conflicts. However, Malaysia’s avoidance of conflict with China, despite frequently expressing that military interventions would negatively impact the process, indicates that it is following a successful policy in this regard.
Malaysia, which also has strong cultural ties with China, expresses its support for this country at every opportunity and pursues a very balanced policy in the international arena. Considering the benefits the US gains from its freedom of navigation in this region and its military power projection, its relations with Malaysia are of great importance. Malaysia, on the other hand, sees the U.S. presence in the South China Sea as a balancing power element and places great importance on bilateral relations from this perspective. Indeed, given that Malaysia maintains good relations with both the United States and China, it is inevitable that it believes no other parties should be involved in South China Sea issues. The Malaysian Foreign Minister’s statement that “it would be better for the countries within ASEAN and the Southeast Asia region to resolve issues among themselves through negotiation and dialogue, as external powers would lead to ‘uncertainty’ in the region” can be interpreted as a reaction to the increasing military activities in the region. [4]
Although the reason for Malaysia’s stance against third parties’ involvement in this matter is thought to be its friendly relations with China, other reasons can also be put forward. Especially in the past year, the events in Gaza have led Malaysia to adopt a more cautious stance towards the US, and it can even be said that this was followed by its application to join BRICS. Following the Philippines’ joint patrols in the South China Sea with the USA, Japan, and Australia, Malaysia’s call for only the relevant countries to be involved in this matter can also be interpreted as avoiding being caught between the USA and China, with whom it maintains good relations. [5]
It is possible that Malaysia’s pragmatic attitude will draw reactions from ASEAN countries in the upcoming period. Indeed, ASEAN countries have not reached a consensus on this issue for years. The thought that Malaysia, which will chair ASEAN in 2025, will continue its representation and leadership in accordance with its own policy on this issue may concern ASEAN members like the Philippines and Vietnam, who frequently clash with China in the South China Sea. However, considering that ASEAN has not reached a consensus on many issues on the agenda, the question of how effective it is in resolving the main issue of the South China Sea disputes arises as a question mark.
Today in Malaysia, it is observed that the Mahathir Doctrine, which is reinterpreted with a more pragmatic approach and emphasizes the peaceful resolution of disputes, continues with a softer tone compared to previous periods and avoids direct targeting. The former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, who the doctrine is named after, not only strengthened the ties with China but also frequently emphasized independence, neutrality, and peaceful resolution in the context of the South China Sea. [6] It can be said that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been continuing his policies based on the constructive foundations of this doctrine, and in this direction, the China-Malaysia friendship has been increasingly strengthened, which provides advantages to both sides in the South China Sea. Considering the presence of AUKUS, the Quad Security Dialogue (QUAD), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the South China Sea, it can be said that this friendship, which is highly valuable for China, will continue to strengthen.
Malaysia emphasizes the necessity of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which is jointly recognized and accepted by the countries involved in the South China Sea issue. Malaysia will promote a peaceful path by reiterating its calls for the resolution of conflicts based on the rules accepted by the relevant countries.
As a developing country located in a strategic region like the Strait of Malacca, which is one of the important points of the world economy, Malaysia has a very low risk of direct conflict with China. However, it is considered that Malaysia should maintain its own national interests while preserving the economic, political, and military balances between the US and China. Additionally, Malaysia’s continued defense of its regional claims on legal grounds is considered the most appropriate strategy in the South China Sea. [7] In this context, it can be said that Malaysia has pursued a balanced policy in the South China Sea disputes by combining China’s developing economy and friendly relations, the military and economic support of the United States, and ASEAN’s authority to resolve regional issues.
[1] “Xi Jinping meets with Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim”, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of India, http://in.china embassy.gov.cn/eng/zgxw/202411/t20241111_11524659.htm, (Date Accession: 12.11.2024).
[2] “Malaysia’s position on the South China Sea-press releases-portal. (n.d.)”, KLN, https://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/-/malaysia-s-position-on-the-south-china-sea, (Date Accession: 12.11.2024).
[3] Siow, M. (2024, August 1). What’s Malaysia’s stance on the South China Sea? latest remarks raise potential shift. South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3272785/south-china-sea-malaysias-comments-actions-raise-concerns-over-neutral-foreign-policy, (Date Accession: 12.11.2024).
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Gürkaynak, M., & Doğan, D. (2019). MALEZYA’NIN GÜNEY ÇİN DENİZİ STRATEJİSİ VE MAHATHİR DOKTRİNİ. Kırklareli Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 3(3), 323-337.
[7] Ibid.
