New Malaysia-China Defence Dialogue Aims to Build Trust, Ease Tensions - Analysts
KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- The establishment of a Malaysia-China Joint Foreign and Defence Dialogue Mechanism is a move that can build bilateral trust and ease tensions, particularly over issues related to the South China Sea, analysts said.
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 (UMS, a Malaysian public university) senior lecturer Associate Prof Dr Ramli Dollah said the initiative not only strengthens cooperation in the security and defence sectors but also enhances transparency in bilateral relations.
He said the mechanism would 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.
He 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 (SAR) operations, humanitarian assistance and joint training programmes, Ramli added.
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.
Geostrategist and Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR) Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said this mechanism could serve as a model for managing bilateral relations and resolving maritime disputes before the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) is finalised.
“Discussions on the South China Sea COC have dragged on for a long time ... I'm 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, he said 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 (UUM) senior lecturer Associate Prof Dr 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.
He said 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.
It was reported yesterday 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
