KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — The establishment of a Malaysia-China Joint Foreign and Defence Dialogue Mechanism can build bilateral trust and ease tensions, particularly over issues related to the South China Sea, said analysts.
The dialogue mechanism serves as a proactive and strategic step in managing Malaysia-China relations and signals that cooperation and dialogue are the foundations for addressing regional security and defence issues.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer Associate Prof Ramli Dollah said the initiative strengthens cooperation in the security and defence sectors and enhances transparency in bilateral relations.
The mechanism will act as a confidence-building measure in defence and security matters, especially regarding sensitive issues in the South China Sea, helping to avoid any misperceptions.
“Continuous communication not only boosts confidence and reduces conflicts, but also creates a more conducive space for long-term solutions,” he told Bernama.
Ramli said sensitive issues in the South China Sea require effective management mechanisms, as poor handling could escalate into conflict, crises or even war.
Non-sensitive areas for cooperation could include search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance and joint training programmes.
Meanwhile, sensitive areas that could be explored include intelligence sharing, particularly regarding international terrorism, cooperation in the South China Sea, joint research in defence and security sectors and procurement of military equipment.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow and geostrategist Prof Azmi Hassan said this mechanism could serve as a model for managing bilateral relations and resolving maritime disputes before finalising the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC).
“Discussions on the South China Sea COC have dragged on for a long time...I am confident this mechanism can open a path where, if an urgent issue arises in the South China Sea, it can be addressed through dialogue, as the communication channel and mechanism are already in place.
“We want to avoid situations like what happened between the Philippines and Beijing in the Paracel Islands, where physical confrontations have occurred,” he said.
As such, before Asean countries and China officially finalise the COC, the mechanism formed between Malaysia and China can serve as an effective bilateral model for addressing issues peacefully and prudently.
Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia senior lecturer Associate Prof Mohamad Faisol Keling said Malaysia should seize the opportunity to strengthen ties with China, a United Nations Security Council veto power.
“Close cooperation in the defence sector will allow Malaysia to diversify its options for strengthening its security and defence,” he said.
Faisol noted that China is an ideal partner for Malaysia to acquire cost-effective yet high-quality defence equipment comparable to that used by major powers.
Currently, China relies on its own defence systems, and Malaysia should capitalise on this opportunity to access technology and equipment that even major global powers regard with respect.
Yesterday, it was reported that both countries had agreed to establish a Joint Foreign and Defence Dialogue Mechanism to further expand high-level strategic communication channels and platforms for political security.
— Bernama
