Manila, July 21 (AseanAll)  — On July 21, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan in Manila.

Wang Yi noted that last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to Malaysia, during which the two sides announced the building of a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, ushering in a new “Golden 50 Years” of bilateral relations. Both China and Malaysia are at a critical stage of development and rejuvenation. China is ready to seize opportunities with Malaysia, maintain close exchanges at all levels, deepen all-round cooperation, promote maritime exchanges and cooperation, and jointly elevate China-Malaysia relations to higher levels.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN and the 5th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership. ASEAN is an important component of the multipolar landscape and a key force of the Global South. China expects Malaysia to play its role well as the Country Coordinator for China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, safeguard the common interests of China and ASEAN, and uphold peace and stability in East Asia. China and ASEAN countries, on the basis of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), have advocated and are committed to bringing the consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) to an early conclusion. This helps maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, enables countries in the region to shape their own future, and denies external forces any opportunity to stir up trouble. China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Malaysia, so as to keep China-ASEAN relations at the forefront of the times and set an example for Global South countries in pursuing strength through unity.

Mohamad Hasan stated that at present, both Malaysia-China relations and ASEAN-China relations are at their best in history, with inter-state cooperation and people-to-people exchanges being close and vibrant. The task is to take this relationship to a higher level. China is a trusted friend and partner of Malaysia and also Malaysia's largest trading partner. Malaysia cherishes the traditional friendship between the two countries, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and is ready to deepen practical cooperation with China in areas such as digital technology and artificial intelligence. As the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia will make every effort to promote ASEAN-China cooperation and jointly uphold ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture. Some countries outside the region have nothing to do with the South China Sea, yet they always want to flex military muscles there. Malaysia looks forward to the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and to jointly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.