China and Malaysia Hold Second Bilateral Maritime Dialogue in Beijing

Second Bilateral Dialogue Convenes in Beijing

On November 24, 2025, China and Malaysia held their second Bilateral Dialogue on the Management of Maritime Issues in the South China Sea in Beijing, China. The high-level meeting aimed to foster cooperation and address maritime concerns in the strategically important waterway.

The dialogue was co-chaired by H.E. Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and H.E. Raja Dato' Nushirwan bin Zainal Abidin, Director-General of Malaysia's National Security Council, Prime Minister's Department. Representatives from key maritime departments of both countries were also in attendance.

Key Discussions and Outcomes

During the dialogue, both sides engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on the current maritime situation in the South China Sea and actively discussed various areas for practical cooperation. They reached a broad consensus on advancing China-Malaysia maritime practical cooperation.

Key points of discussion and agreement included:

• Reviewing positive progress in bilateral maritime communication and cooperation since the first dialogue.
• Implementing important common understandings previously reached by the leaders of both countries.
• Leveraging the Bilateral Dialogue platform to deepen mutual trust, promote cooperation, and strengthen friendship.
• Contributing to the maintenance of sound bilateral relations and the peace and stability of the region.
• Exchanging views on international and regional issues of common interest.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a separate meeting with Raja Dato' Nushirwan bin Zainal Abidin, urged both nations to 'make full use of the dialogue platform for maritime issues, promote substantive and in-depth cooperation, and manage and handle differences properly.'

Commitment to Peaceful Resolution and Cooperation

Malaysia reaffirmed its consistent adherence to the one-China policy and expressed its willingness to collaborate with China to safeguard maritime peace and stability. Both countries emphasized the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means, friendly consultations, and negotiations, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Furthermore, China and Malaysia committed to working with other ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and look forward to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

Context of the Dialogue

This second dialogue follows the inaugural Bilateral Dialogue on the Management of Maritime Issues in the South China Sea, which took place on October 16, 2024, in Langkawi, Malaysia. The continuation of these dialogues underscores both nations' commitment to pragmatic engagement and diplomatic approaches to managing complex maritime issues in the region.