KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Asean must maintain its close relations with the United States as much as with China to maintain a balance in the region.
Speaking to CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour in an interview aired at 1am Malaysia time today, he emphasised the significance of Asean upholding this connection with both nations, especially in discussions regarding the regional grouping's centrality.
“China is an important trading nation and close to us, United States has been traditionally a long time friend who is responsible from the beginning to invest and to help to develop the country .
“So, I thought the United States should be more proactive in retaining that sort of understanding, and tradition of diplomatic, cultural and economic relations,” he said.
He also expressed concern about the weakening of the United States and Asean relations in recent years, saying that the former has become more focused on the Middle East, Ukraine, and Russia.
“We have to ensure that we maintain excellent relationships both with China and the United States and we have been asserting a point that they cannot assist if we take sides in that sort of differences in both these countries,” he said.
Asked about the 2023 China Standard Map, which shows China claiming large swathes of the South China Sea, Anwar said that he was pleased by China's response to Malaysia's concerns and that he believes that China is willing to negotiate on the issue.
“I have a good relationship with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and its Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, and we are ready to negotiate contentious issues arising from China's claim.
“That was very assuring. And I met Li Qiang three days back in Nanning. And he reiterated that point and, at least for Malaysia, I’m extremely satisfied,” he said.
According to media reports, the China Standard Map also incorporates disputed areas, including claims over Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region in northeast India, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The China Standard Map also includes maritime areas within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone near Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.
On China's claim that Taiwan will become part of its territory, Anwar said that Malaysia has always been consistent with the One China policy.
“We accept the One China policy as a foreign policy position. But, of course, we are concerned with any sort of turbulence in the area, which will adversely affect the region,” he said.
