NANJING, CHINA, 21 June 2025 — The Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (MiDAS) marked a significant presence at the 2025 China–ASEAN Dialogue as Ms. Nor Aini binti Mohd Nordin, Assistant Director of the Maritime Security Centre, took part in high-level deliberations on regional geopolitical trends and maritime challenges in the South China Sea.

Held from 20–22 June 2025 at Nanjing University, the Dialogue brought together 37 prominent scholars, diplomats, and defence experts under the theme of “Building Trust and Cooperation Amidst Strategic Rivalry.” The conference was jointly organised by the Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies and the School of International Studies, Nanjing University.

Ms. Nor Aini contributed to Panel III: South China Sea Situation in 2025: New Developments and an Analysis of Major-Power Geopolitical Rivalry. In her presentation, she addressed the increasing complexity of South China Sea dynamics, the rise of grey-zone activities, and the strategic impact of renewed U.S.–China competition under the Trump 2.0 administration.

She emphasised that Malaysia, as the 2025 ASEAN Chair, advocates for ASEAN centrality, rules-based maritime order, and the strengthening of practical cooperation mechanisms between ASEAN and China. "Southeast Asia must not be a theatre of contest, but a platform for collaboration," she remarked during the discussion.

The Dialogue also featured sessions on the implications of Trump’s return to power, trade resilience in the face of renewed tariffs, and the future of maritime security cooperation between China and ASEAN. Participants reaffirmed the importance of diplomatic dialogue, functional cooperation, and multilateralism in maintaining regional peace and stability.

MiDAS’s participation underlined Malaysia’s commitment to constructive engagement, maritime governance, and promoting mutual understanding among regional stakeholders.