Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishamuddin Husse (Photo: EPA/VNA)

In a press release on Malaysia’s reaction to the Monday statement by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo concerning the South China Sea. Minister Hishamuddin said Malaysia will continue to play an active role in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace and trade.

Matters relating to the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully based on universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, he said.
Malaysia looks forward to continuing discussions to conclude an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea that will reflect the rights and interests of all parties, he said, adding that Malaysia’s diplomatic efforts have forced Chinese survey vessel Haiyang Dizhi 8 and its escorts to leave West Capella last May.