Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak Friday agreed to strengthen dialogue to maintain stability in the South China Sea.
"The current situation in the South China Sea is stable in general but signs deserving our attention have also emerged," Xinhua quoted Xi as saying in his meeting with the Malaysian prime minister.
China cherishes the peace and stability of the South China Sea and disapproves of complicating, broadening or internationalising the ongoing regional disputes over sovereignty, Xi added.
"We will never stir up trouble, but will react in the necessary way to the provocations of countries involved."
Razak said he agreed with Xi and believed claimants would most appropriately resolve differences through direct communication and dialogue.
With Malaysia acting as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair in 2015, Razak hailed China and the ASEAN members as interdependent good neighbours and friends.
"Malaysia is ready to make a greater contribution to China-ASEAN relations," he said.