Malaysia doesn’t recognise China’s 2023 map, says govt

China’s 2023 standard map outlines portions of Malaysian waters near Sabah and Sarawak as belonging to China.

(FMT) – Malaysia does not recognise China’s 2023 standard map, which outlines portions of Malaysian waters near Sabah and Sarawak as belonging to China.

“Malaysia is not bound to China’s 2023 standard map in any way,” Wisma Putra said in a statement.

“Malaysia is of the view that the South China Sea issue is a complex and sensitive matter. It must be handled in a peaceful and rational manner through dialogues and negotiations based on international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”

The foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to working with all parties to holistically and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

“Malaysia is also committed to an effective and substantive process of negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and for it to be finalised as soon as possible.”

It said Malaysia remains consistent in rejecting any claim on the nation’s maritime areas, based on the 1979 map of Malaysia.

Yesterday, Beijing reportedly published its official standard map of China for 2023, which also included parts of India as coming under China.

Maritime areas within Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone near Sabah and Sarawak were included, as well as areas belonging to Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.