Cooperation between Malaysia and China depends on mutual trust, says Anwar

The issue of trust should be the basis for any future collaboration between Malaysia and China, according to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister. Anwar highlighted that Malaysia and its ASEAN partners view China as an important neighbor and trade partner. The presence of China’s Premier Li Qiang at the summit further strengthened the relationship between all stakeholders. He emphasized the significance of trust and multilateral discussions for future collaborations in terms of security and protecting the interests of both China and ASEAN. These remarks were made during Malaysia’s intervention at the 26th ASEAN-China Summit on September 6.

The summit took place amidst heightened tensions in the South China Sea, as China released a new map claiming disputed territories. This move led to protests, including from Malaysia. Anwar stated that Malaysia has taken an independent stance in protecting its interests and that of the region. He expressed Malaysia’s willingness to enhance the bilateral relationship, starting with the third version of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement.

Anwar also introduced Malaysia’s Madani Economic Framework and emphasized that cooperation with China should be based on issues related to food security and digital information. He suggested that the ASEAN-China Technical Cooperation Agreement should identify new areas for cooperative programs, particularly in innovation, technology, and education. Anwar believed that such collaboration would benefit government programs and strengthen people-to-people interactions, especially through the 2024 Year of ASEAN China people-to-people exchange.

During the summit, Indonesian President Joko Widodo echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for concrete cooperation between ASEAN and China, with a focus on mutual trust. This visit marked Premier Li Qiang’s debut on the ASEAN stage and his first visit to an Asian country since taking office in March.