M’sia believes South China Sea row can be resolved peacefully

He noted the negotiations should be based on historical facts and in line with worldwide law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, or DOC.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay will attend the two-day Asia-Europe summit, known as ASEM, starting on Friday, in Mongolia along with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Yasay will represent newly elected President Rodrigo Duterte at ASEM.

“Malaysia cherishes peace and stability of the South China Sea and believes that China and all relevant parties can find constructive ways to develop healthy dialogues, negotiations and consultations while upholding the supremacy of the rule of law for the peace, safety and security for the region”, the statement said.

China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea rivals those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The statement was the strongest response from the Philippines to Tuesday’s verdict.

China’s Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said during the news conference that China does not want to turn the South China Sea into “the origin of war”, and that it aims to make it into “a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation”.

It said China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights and caused “severe harm to the coral reef environment” by building artificial islands.

Tuesday’s ruling came from an arbitration tribunal brought by the Philippines under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which both countries have signed.

He also said China may introduce an air defence zone over the sea, which would give its military authority over foreign aircraft, depending on the “threat” level.

The English-language China Daily said: “Beijing certainly should, and has to, ready itself for worst-case scenarios, including potential military collisions”.

Mr Duterte has adopted a more conciliatory approach than his predecessor Benigno Aquino, saying the Philippines would be willing to share natural resources with China in contested areas if the tribunal ruled in its favour. Relations between Beijing and Manila plummeted over the row.

China, which claims nearly all of the South China Sea, has said the summit is “not a suitable place to discuss” the issue.