During Premier Li Qiang's recent visit to Malaysia to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his rejection of the notion that China's dominance should be feared. Instead, he referred to China as a 'true friend' and highlighted the importance of their partnership.
While addressing a group of business leaders, Anwar emphasized the mutual benefits of the relationship between Malaysia and China, dismissing concerns about China's economic, military, and technological dominance. He stressed the importance of collaboration and learning from each other for mutual profit.
The leaders discussed contentious issues, including overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, as equal partners and trusted friends. Anwar's stance on maintaining a neutral position and working with all countries, including China, was evident throughout the discussions.
During the visit, both leaders agreed that the South China Sea dispute should be addressed independently and properly through dialogue and cooperation among claimant countries in Southeast Asia. This statement aimed to ease tensions amid concerns of escalating disputes between the U.S. and China.
China has been Malaysia's top trading partner since 2009, with bilateral trade reaching $98.8 billion last year. The economic ties between the two countries have strengthened over the years, leading to the renewal of a five-year trade and economic cooperation pact and the signing of multiple agreements in various sectors.
At a luncheon attended by Premier Li, discussions focused on expanding cooperation in emerging fields such as green development, digital economy, and artificial intelligence. Both leaders highlighted the achievements of the past 50 years and expressed optimism for future collaborations.
The visit concluded with a ceremonial send-off for Premier Li, symbolizing the strong bond between China and Malaysia. The signing of additional memorandums of understanding between Malaysian and Chinese entities further solidified the potential for increased investment and collaboration in key sectors.
