Japanese Defense Minister Convenes 14+7 Meeting, Malaysia Parliament Clarifies Position: Only Recognizes 1979 Map, Does Not Acknowledge China's Claims
On February 24, Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro convened a meeting in Tokyo with Pacific Island countries and seven Southeast Asian countries. At the meeting, he repeatedly mentioned the concept of "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" and directly pointed out that China's influence in the South Pacific is increasing, while also announcing some aid projects.
Soon after the meeting ended, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hassan publicly stated in parliament that Malaysia only recognizes the map from 1979 and does not acknowledge China's and Vietnam's claims in the South China Sea. Compared to Malaysia's previous low-key attitude, this statement clearly shows a different approach.
In recent years, Malaysia has carried out land reclamation and oil and gas exploitation on five reefs, and its finances largely depend on resources within the nine-dash line. The timing of Malaysia's statement coincides closely with the schedule of the Japanese meeting, and the outside world speculates that this may be an opportunity to maintain the status quo and cope with pressure from domestic elections, but China has not given a direct response.
Koizumi Shinjiro South China Sea Claims #TokyoConference
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858241428584905/
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