PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will issue a formal protest to China following its claims regarding the delineations of the South China Sea within the 2023 China Standard Map, which extends over maritime territories belonging to Malaysia.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the protest note forms a crucial part of the government's strategy to escalate its response, emphasising that this course of action aligns with the government's customary protocol.
"As part of our established practice, Wisma Putra issued a statement yesterday (on the matter).
"Crafting a protest note is part of our practice (in dealing with such matters).
"Hence, given the statement we have already issued, our approach will involve further steps, including the transmission of a formal protest note," he said when met after attending the National Day 2023 celebration at Dataran Putrajaya, today.
Yesterday, Malaysia firmly conveyed its non-recognition of China's assertions.
In an official statement, the Foreign Ministry unequivocally stated that Malaysia does not consider China's map to possess any legally binding force.
The 2023 China Standard Map issued by the country's Ministry of Natural Resources includes a significant portion of Malaysian waters near Sabah and Sarawak, as well as various regions in India claimed by China.
Released on Aug 28 in conjunction with China's National Mapping Awareness Week and Survey and Mapping Publicity Day, the 2023 China Standard Map also incorporates disputed areas, including claims over Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan, and the South China Sea.
It also includes maritime areas within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone near Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.