Grandview Institution Scholars Visit Maritime Institute of Malaysia

On 10 November, Liu Xiaobo, Director of the Maritime Research Center, Grandview Institution (GVI), and Dr. Yi Wushuang, Research Fellow, GVI, visited the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) in Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian delegation was led by Dr. Sumathy Permal, Director of the Centre for Maritime Security and Diplomacy and Senior Research Fellow, MIMA, and included Researcher Hailkal Amran and Researcher Nurismarina Smail.

The two sides conducted in-depth discussions on the South China Sea situation, maritime crisis management mechanisms, progress in negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, and prospects for regional maritime security cooperation.

Liu Xiaobo and Yi Wushuang highlighted the importance of further establishing regional crisis management and prevention mechanisms, enhancing multilateral communication and liaison channels, and preventing escalation of maritime incidents. China consistently advocates resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation and promoting peace and cooperation in the South China Sea based on the principles of “consultation, joint construction, and sharing.”

Dr. Sumathy Permal emphasised Malaysia’s commitment to peace and stability in the South China Sea and noted the need for all parties to strengthen crisis communication and management mechanisms to avoid misjudgements and conflict escalation. She stressed that ASEAN countries expect positive outcomes from the COC negotiations and hope to expand cooperation in maritime research, environmental protection, and fisheries management, aiming to build a mutually beneficial regional development framework.

Both sides agreed that sustained dialogue and exchanges between think tanks help promote policy understanding, build trust, and consolidate consensus. Grandview Institution and MIMA will continue to deepen cooperation in maritime security, the blue economy, crisis management, and regional governance mechanisms, contributing constructive expertise to maintain peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the South China Sea.