PUTRAJAYA – The Malaysia Foreign Ministry is internally investigating the leak of a diplomatic note from China’s Foreign Ministry to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing in February and said it will file a police report on the matter.
The note was published by a Filipino media outlet on August 29, the ministry said in a statement.
“The ministry views the leak of this document, which constitutes an official communication channel between the two countries, with grave concern,” the statement read.
Wisma Putra highlighted Malaysia and China’s strong bilateral relations, noting their status as Comprehensive Strategic Partners, with ongoing efforts to further enhance cooperation.
The statement also reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to resolving issues relating to the South China Sea peacefully through consultations and dialogue, avoiding disputes or violence.
“Malaysia’s stance on the South China Sea remains unchanged. Malaysia will continue to defend its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and interests in its maritime areas based on the 1979 Malaysia Map, in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982,” the statement said.
The ministry reiterated Malaysia’s focus on diplomacy to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, in line with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DoC).
It also affirmed Malaysia’s commitment to finalising a code of conduct (CoC) in the region, in collaboration with Asean and China.
As of August, Malaysia and China will co-chair Asean-China meetings for three years to implement the DoC and negotiate the CoC. – September 5, 2024