Malaysia ready to negotiate, PM says on South China Sea dispute
Anwar Ibrahim says the issue was raised at his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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Malaysia is prepared to negotiate with China over the South China Sea dispute, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the issue was raised at his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his official visit to China as national oil and gas company Petronas has the largest platform for oil exploration in the area.
"China is also staking claim to the area. I said as a small country that needs oil and gas resources, we have to continue, but if the condition is that there must be negotiations, then we are ready to negotiate," he said at the monthly assembly with staff at the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya today.
Anwar said he also touched on the issue of Myanmar and Rohingya refugees, despite knowing that China practises a policy of non-interference.
"China is close to Myanmar, but its policy is not to interfere. I said we do not intend to interfere in their affairs, but there are almost 200,000 Rohingya refugees here.
"So whether we like it or not, what is happening in Myanmar in denying the rights of Myanmar's own people, including the Rohingya, affects us," he said.
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