Prime Minister Najib Razak

(VOVworld) – The Malaysian news agency Bernama quoted Prime Minister Najib Razak as saying that ASEAN leaders have reiterated their stand on wanting a peaceful resolution to overlapping territorial claims in the East Sea.

Speaking to reporters after the ASEAN-US summit on Tuesday, Prime Minister Najab said the issue must be settled based on international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and all parties must exercise self-restraint, avoid increasing tensions in the disputed area.
They should also avoid issuing threats and respect the Declaration on the Conduct of parties in the East Sea (DoC), signed by ASEAN and China in 2002, paving the way for ASEAN and China to draw up the Code of Conduct (CoC) as a guideline to avoid any future friction in the area.
The same day, “The Star” newspaper said ASEAN wants all parties to practice restraint to avoid any provocations that could escalate tension in the region. The newspaper quoted Prime Minister Najib as saying that Malaysia insists that the East Sea disputes must be resolved through negotiation based on international law.