<h1>Prime Minister urges dialogue, international law and negotiated South China Sea Code of Conduct amid US-China rivalry</h1> At a regional summit, the Malaysian prime minister urged resolution of interstate disputes through dialogue and adherence to international law, stressing multilateralism and a negotiated Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. The meeting highlighted heightened strategic competition between the US and China, with the US delegation prioritizing freedom of navigation, economic security and transactional alliances, and China emphasizing sovereignty and noninterference. Participants reiterated ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus approach to Myanmar and called for continued engagement on nuclear and missile concerns. Leaders also reaffirmed commitments under the RCEP trade pact to enhance economic integration, supply-chain resilience and domestic reforms.