KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister of Malaysian Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday dismissed the notion that China’s dominance is to be feared, terming China a true friend at the end of Premier Li Qiang’s official visit to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between their countries.
While the leaders raised some bilateral matters, Anwar said they discussed them as equal partners and as trusted friends. He did not elaborate details but was most likely referring to the issue of overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Anwar told some 200 business leaders at a luncheon attended by Li said Malaysia as a growing economy wants to benefit from China.
The PM said he rejected the incessant propaganda that Malysia should cast aspersions and fears the dominance of China militarily economically and technologically.
“We in Malaysia, having a neutral stance, have the resolve to work with all countries and with China,” he said. “We see Premier Li Qiang as a friend that would work together with us.”
Li, who is China’s second highest leader after President Xi Jinping, was the first Chinese premier to visit Malaysia since 2015. He paid a three-day visit on Tuesday on the last leg of a regional trip.
The two sides on Wednesday agreed that China and other countries in Southeast Asia should tackle the South China Sea dispute properly and independently through talks and cooperation.
No details were provided but the statement came amid concerns the dispute could escalate tensions between China and the US.
The US on Tuesday renewed a warning that it is obligated to defend close ally Philippines, after Chinese forces seized two Philippine boats.
Li, at a luncheon, urged Malaysian businessmen to enhance cooperation with China in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, digital economy and green development.
Li was given a red-carpet send-off and an honor guard as he departed for home later Thursday. The two countries renewed a five-year economic and trade cooperation agreement on Wednesday and signed a rash of pacts to cooperate in various sectors.
According to the Trade Ministry 11 more memorandums were signed between entities of Malaysia and China on Thursday that could bring in potential investment of $2.8 billion.
A joint statement by the two side on Thursday said China will extend visa-free travel for Malaysian tourists until end-2025, while Malaysia will reciprocate the Chinese gesture with a longer period until end-2026.
