New China map: Dispute can spark major conflict - Expert

SHAH ALAM - China's act of issuing the 2023 Edition China Standard Map covering the maritime area of other countries may spark anger among Asean countries involved.

International Relations expert from Universiti Utara Malaysia, Professor Dr Ahmad Marthada Mohamed said that this was because the map includes geostrategic areas in the region.

He said that China's act would also have a huge impact not only on stability among Asian countries, but also cause a bigger conflict between China and the United States (US).

According to him, US' influence on the countries' waters environment was significantly large thanks to its good relations and allying with Asean countries especially Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

"That action could anger the allies of the countries that have claims on them which is the US.

"We know that the US works closely with the Philippines and helps that country in protecting the waters including Malaysia which has a good relation with the US as well as Vietnam.

"The implication is of course, it will invite counter-reactions from Asean countries that claim the areas. The US will certainly not remain silent.

“Even the conflict between China and the US in this region is not a new thing," he said when contacted by Sinar Harian yesterday.

Marthada said the US was surely of the opinion that the area does not belong to China because there had not yet been any decision on the claims from other countries.

"This dispute is dangerous because it is not only related to political conflict but also economic. We know that the dispute in the waters of the South China Sea is not only geopolitical but geoeconomic," he pointed.

He said that the areas in question involve international trade as well as ecostrategic routes potential of granting domination to Asean countries.

"When China dominates the countries, they can dominate the region and prevent other big countries from coming.

"Politically, China has an agenda. We know it will create a conflict of interest against the countries that make demands," he said.

As a solution, he said that Malaysia needed to highlight the conflict at the International Court of Justice to make a decision and submit an objection at the United Nations Security Council (UN).

He said that the action needed to be taken because Asean countries were not strong in terms of military and capabilities compared to China.

"Furthermore, negotiations need to be expedited because Asean's policy is one that promotes a good relationship. Of course, Asean has to negotiate with China.

"Of course, countries like the Philippines are trying to request intervention from the US and this conflict will worsen if there is no short-term solution," he noted.

On Tuesday, the media reported that China's Natural Resources Ministry had published the China Standard Map of 2023 Edition which covers most of Malaysia's waters near Sabah and Sarawak.

The map includes, among other things, disputed areas particularly Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan and the South China Sea.

It also involves the maritime area of Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement last Wednesday asserted that Malaysia did not recognise China's claim in the South China Sea as outlined in the map which also covered Malaysia's maritime area.