KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has firmly conveyed its non-recognition of China's assertions regarding the South China Sea delineations within the 2023 China Standard Map, which extends over Malaysian maritime territories.
In an official statement, the Foreign Ministry unequivocally stated that Malaysia does not consider China's map to possess any legally binding force.
The ministry reiterated that Malaysia had consistently rejected any foreign entity's claims of sovereignty, sovereign rights, or jurisdiction over maritime features within the nation's territorial waters or exclusive economic zone.
This position is grounded in Malaysia's steadfast adherence to the principles enshrined in the New Malaysia Map 1979.
This map is the foundation upon which Malaysia asserts its maritime boundaries and territorial integrity.
"Malaysia feels the issue of the South China Sea is complex and sensitive.
"This issue needs to be handled peacefully and rationally through dialogues and discussions based on international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982," it said today.
The ministry was responding to the 2023 China Standard Map issued by the country's Ministry of Natural Resources on Aug 28 this year.
It had, among others, depicted China's unilateral act of maritime demand, which had crossed Malaysia's maritime areas in Sabah and Sarawak based on the New Malaysia Map 1979.
The ministry said Malaysia was committed to continue working with all parties to enforce the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in a holistic and effective manner.
"Malaysia is also committed to the negotiation process of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, and towards the goal of finalising the COC as early as possible," it said.