Malaysia praises Chinese Premier’s statement on East Sea hinh anh 1Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Manila (VNA) - China has shown a positive response to reduce tension in the East Sea, including ensuring freedom of navigation and aviation in disputed waters, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on November 13.

Najib’s announcement came after the ASEAN-China Summit, which took place the same day on the sidelines of the ongoing 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Manila, the Philippines.

Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama reported that at the summit, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the East Sea will become an "anchor of peace and stability" and claimed China would not use any military force.

Li also affirmed China was ready to continue talks to finalise a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.

Najib noted that Malaysia and ASEAN should seize the opportunity from China's rapid economic growth by increasing exports to the country and attracting more Chinese tourists.

Regarding the ASEAN-US Summit, he said the presence of President Donald Trump showed that the US’s commitment toward ASEAN has not changed and the bloc will continue to be an important area for the country.-VNA
VNA