Anwar Ibrahim Urges ASEAN-China Code of Conduct for South China Sea

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for the establishment of a regional Code of Conduct with China to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Speaking at the Kuala Lumpur–Ankara Dialogue 2026, he emphasized that the resolution of these differences should be led by ASEAN partners to maintain strategic independence and avoid interference from outside forces.

Anwar Ibrahim positioned the agreement as a critical tool for securing regional stability. He argued that Malaysia and its neighbors must be capable of resolving their own problems through coordinated regional leadership rather than relying on external intervention. This push for a formal Code of Conduct reflects a long-standing diplomatic effort by ASEAN members to manage overlapping territorial claims and reduce the risk of accidental military escalation in the contested waters.

By advocating for an internal regional solution, the Prime Minister signaled a desire to prevent the South China Sea from becoming a primary theater for superpower competition. The proposal emphasizes a framework where ASEAN states and China negotiate a set of binding rules to govern behavior and dispute resolution, ensuring that member states uphold their rights while maintaining peaceful coexistence. This diplomatic strategy aims to ensure that regional security remains under the control of the littoral states rather than being dictated by external security architectures.