KUALA LUMPUR: The United States has expressed concern over China's actions within the disputed South China Sea area near the Philippines and Sabah.
Newly-appointed US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan said his country strongly supports freedom of the seas and believes all countries should adhere to international laws, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Kagan cited ongoing incidents between China and the Philippines around the Second Thomas Shoal following recent confrontations with the Chinese coastguard.
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"We are deeply concerned by China's action in the area of Second Thomas Shoal, where we strongly believe that the Philippines is acting on the basis of long-standing policy and precedent.
"We also have real concerns about the use of coercion, intimidation and other provocative actions by China in the region," he said during a media roundtable at his residence here on Tuesday (April 2).
Kagan had been asked about his country's position on supporting its allies, including Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, and whether or not a similar level of military assistance would be extended to the Philippines and its long-standing partners, including Malaysia.
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He said the United States has a well-established partnership with Malaysia and believed that any dispute should be resolved peacefully through dialogue.
"We do not believe in unilateral action but we also believe that every country in the region has a right to take appropriate steps to preserve its sovereignty.
"We do believe that it is best if the countries in the region can work together and come up to a common position whenever possible because we think that it will increase the leverage.
"And we know that Malaysia has been very effective over the years working through Asean.
"We look forward to Malaysia continuing to do that... next year when it assumes the Asean chair," he added.
On a separate matter, Kagan said the United States was ready to partner with Malaysia in transitioning away from coal power towards renewable energy.
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"I think there is tremendous potential in renewable energy.
"From the American perspective, Malaysia stands out as a place that has a reliable and stable source of energy, but unfortunately a lot of it is coal energy.
"We need to ensure that the production of energy comes from renewable sources, and the United States is prepared to partner with Malaysia, in various areas, in order to do that," said the ambassador.
In April last year, then natural resources, environment and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Malaysia was in talks with richer nations, hoping to follow its neighbours Indonesia and Vietnam in striking deals to transition towards renewable energy.
