PM Anwar: Trying to contain China will only fuel its grievances

PM Anwar: Trying to contain China will only fuel its grievances

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with Distinguished Honorary Professor at the Australian National University (ANU), Professor the Honourable Gareth Evans (right) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Australian National University, Professor Grady Venville (left) after delivering a public lecture at the ANU here today. — Bernama pic

Thursday, 07 Mar 2024 3:45 PM MYT


SYDNEY, March 7 — Attempts to contain China’s rise would only aggravate the country and sow discord in the region, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said during a speech in Australia today.

In a speech at the Australian National University in Canberra, he said countries needed to put themselves in China’s shoes and recognise how its leaders saw its military buildup and growing diplomatic influence as a natural result of its economic and technological prowess.


“In their eyes, the adverse actions on China’s rise, militarily, economically and technologically, represent nothing less than an attempt to deny their legitimate place in history,” Anwar said.

“The obstacles being placed against China’s economic and technological advancement will only further accentuate such grievances.”


Anwar, who attended an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Australia that ended on Wednesday, repeatedly struck a dovish line on China at the meeting that was overshadowed by clashes between the Philippines and China in the disputed South China Sea.


Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday his country would grow security ties with the US and resist Chinese incursions in the disputed sea.

In his address, Anwar said Malaysia and Australia had a duty to encourage China, the US and other major players in the Asia-Pacific to behave in a manner conducive to cooperation and economic integration.

Anwar, who heads a Muslim majority nation, also said the differences in the West’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war in Gaza defied reason.

“Why ... has the West been so vociferous, vehement, and unequivocal in the condemnation of the Russia invasion of Ukraine while remaining utterly silent on the relentless, bloodletting inflicted on innocent men, women and children of Gaza.”

The joint Australia-Asean statement on Wednesday reiterated concern over the “dire” humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as calling for the release of hostages held in the Israel-Hamas conflict. — Reuters

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Envoy says Beijing appreciates PM Anwar’s stance on ‘China-phobia’

Minister at the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Zheng Xuefang is accompanied by Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chung Wai during his visit to the news agency. — Bernama pic

Thursday, 07 Mar 2024 1:27 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — China appreciates Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s stance on ’China-phobia’ among the US and its allies, said Minister at the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Zheng Xuefang.

He said Anwar’s remarks reflected the wish of developing countries in pursuing independence and development.


“We note with appreciation the remarks by Prime Minister Anwar recently, which decried the ‘China-phobia’ among US and western allies and upheld Malaysia-China friendship.

“The development of China is an opportunity for the world rather than a threat to anyone,” he said in a meeting with Bernama’s chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai during a courtesy visit to the national news agency, here, Wednesday.


Zheng said Malaysia is a friendly neighbour to China and one of the priority is China’s neighbourhood diplomacy, adding that it will continue to work with Malaysia to elevate the bilateral relations to a new level.


Anwar in an interview with Financial Times last month and again during his official visit to Australia this week stressed that Malaysia will not be dictated to by any other country over its relations with China, “we are fiercely independent’’, he added.

The prime minister also decried the growing ‘China-phobia’ sentiment among the western nations.

On a separate development, Zheng said China will work closely to support Malaysia in playing a greater role in Asean and international affairs, and push Asean-China relations as well as the East Asia cooperation to new heights.

Malaysia will assume the Asean chairmanship next year while it will take over as Asean-China coordinator this July.

The diplomat said China also supports the idea of the Asian Monetary Fund as well as the initiative of Asean-China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) trilateral summit proposed by Anwar.

“We hope that Malaysia could work with all parties within Asean actively and work for the early implementation of relevant initiatives,” he said.

This year marks the 50th year anniversary of Malaysia-China bilateral diplomatic relations and Malaysia-China Friendship Year.

Malaysia and China forged formal diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974. — Bernama