The elevation in ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership – announced last week during Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam’s visit to Malaysia – is a step towards easing tensions over the competing territorial claims in the waterway, according to observers.
The move also signals an accelerating realignment of power in Southeast Asia, which could lead to a more united front from claimant countries in the overarching maritime dispute with China, the analysts said.
In a joint statement, Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi pledged to continue working together to “maintain peace, security, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea, as well as “peaceful resolution of disputes without resorting to threats or use of force”.
They also “reaffirmed the importance for all parties concerned to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and to refrain from undertaking activities that could escalate tension which in turn could affect peace and stability in the South China Sea”.
