Malay Foreign Minister: Malaysia priority recipient of China virus vaccine

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

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

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

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

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

China and Malaysia claim sovereignty over the entire South China Sea.

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

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

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

"In this sense, this strategy itself is a huge security risk. If it is pushed forward, it will not only wind back the clock of history but also mark the beginning of a danger," Wang said.