New China map: Express objection through diplomacy

SHAH ALAM - China's claim to waters off Malaysia’s coast in the South China Sea outlined in the latest edition of the 'China Standard Map 2023' is described as a threat to national sovereignty.

Defence and geostrategic analyst Muhammad Fuad Mat Noor said besides violating Malaysia's maritime rights, China's action also threatened the sovereignty of other countries with territorial disputes in the South China Sea such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei.

He said Malaysia needed to protest the issue but it needed to be done diplomatically and not to act alone.

"We also know that the United States is aggressively helping the Philippines. So, if the superpower intervenes in this issue, it may lead to armed confrontation in the South China Sea. That's the danger.

"For Malaysia to act alone, is not too practical, but rather the countries involved should take action as an Asean bloc through diplomatic conduct with China.

“By joining forces as one bloc, the voice of Malaysia and the regional countries will be more vocal," he told Sinar Harian, yesterday.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Malaysia does not recognise China's claims in the South China Sea, as outlined in the 'China Standard Map 2023'.

Wisma Putra in a statement said the map displayed China's unilateral maritime claims that encroached upon Malaysia's maritime areas in Sabah and Sarawak, based on the 1979 Malaysia New Map.

Meanwhile, Fuad said the issue on China's claim in the South China Sea was not something new.

He said the country has issued a nine-dash line on a map since 1947 and in May 2009 which was the basis of the 90 per cent claims of the maritime territory in the ocean.

"Only China produces the map officially for the year 2023. Releasing this map officially may be considered a populist move by the people of China to show dominance of its maritime.

“This map might also not be aimed at Asean countries, especially Malaysia, which is a friend of China's largest trade.

"China may want to give an impression to the US that the China Sea area to the south is their area," he said.

Fuad added that the issue on sea ​​boundaries were very subjective due to the struggle of the ocean's resources that had occurred from ancient times and continued until now as each country which made a claim has its own standing.

"Therefore, we need to be diplomatic, unless (China) trespasses our islands with weapons.

"In that case, we have to oppose, similar to the Russia-Ukraine invasion," he said.