Japan, Malaysia Underline Order under Law in South China Sea

Kuala Lumpur, July 25 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak agreed Thursday on the importance of compliance with international law over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. "All parties involved in the disputes should refrain from taking unilateral actions and comply with international law," Abe said with China's growing maritime presence in mind. Abe expressed Japan's support for the Philippines, which has sought a mediation process under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea over a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea. He also said he hopes that an effective code of conduct in the sea that is legally binding will be drawn up at an early date. Najib said that he shares the view that parties should respond in compliance with international law but stopped short of mentioning specific cases. In the meeting, the two leaders also agreed that their countries will cooperate for the use of Japanese cutting-edge technologies for a high-speed railway program, water and sewerage systems and medical services in Malaysia. Najib welcomed Japan's participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations as the 12th member in the latest round of the talks ended earlier in the day in his country. Abe thanked Malaysia for its support for Japan's participation. This is the first overseas trip by Abe since his ruling Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory in Sunday's House of Councillors election. At a joint press conference after Thursday's bilateral summit, Abe said that his administration won public trust in the election, adding that he will promote strategic diplomacy to contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity. Japan puts particular importance on its relations with Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, Abe said. END