Malaysia and the South China Sea: Avoiding Confrontation and Responding Amicably
SHOJI Tomotaka
Summary
Malaysia has consistently adopted a moderate policy on the South China Sea issue, seeking to protect its sovereignty and maritime interests while avoiding confrontation with China. Malaysia began making territorial claims in 1979 and still has several reefs under its control. However, concerning its own economic interests, Malaysia has continued to avoid worsening relations with China. The South China Sea is an important sea area connecting the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. It is vital to Malaysia’s national unity, sea lane security, and securing resources such as oil and natural gas. Successive Malaysian administrations, including the current one under Anwar Ibrahim, have prioritized economic cooperation with China. Regarding the South China Sea issue, Malaysia has pursued a cautious diplomacy that avoids confrontation while utilizing international law and the ASEAN multilateral framework. On the military front, while promoting cooperation with the United States and Japan, Malaysia is taking a restrained approach out of consideration for China. Malaysia’s South China Sea policy is a multifaceted and moderate approach that combines legal, diplomatic, and military cooperation. It is carefully managed to avoid the adverse effect on the country’s overall relations with China. As long as economic relations with China remain important, this policy is unlikely to change significantly.
