Malay Foreign Minister: Malaysia priority recipient of China virus vaccine

Malaysia's foreign minister said country is listed as a priority recipient of COVID-19 vaccines developed by China, when y are effective and available.

Hishammuddin Hussein me statement at a joint news conference on Tuesday with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Wang is on an official visit to Souast Asian countries including Malaysia, Laos and Thailand.

"We welcome and appreciate China's commitment in providing Malaysia with Chinese produced COVID-19 vaccines, once successfully developed," said Hussein.

Hussein also said disputes in South China Sea should be dressed through peaceful solutions "without resorts to threats or use of force."

China and Malaysia claim sovereignty over entire South China Sea.

China's increasing dispatch of fishing vessels and coast guards to area have drawn push back from United States, its allies and Souast Asian countries.

Wang said members of Association of Souast Asian Nations should work toger to "remove external disruption" and implement Declaration of Conduct, a document signed by China and ASEAN members to settle disputes in South China Sea.

Wang also criticized strategy proposed by U.S., Japan, Australia and India, saying it is to build "an Indo Pacific NATO" in region, saying essence of it is to "maintain predominance and hegemony system of U.S."

"In this sense, this strategy itself is a huge security risk. If it is pushed forward, it will t only wind back clock of history but also mark beginning of a danger," Wang said.