Malaysia Wants To Continue Being Friends With Both US & China To Minimise Risks
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said strong ties with China and the US will benefit Malaysia.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 15 Nov 2023, 12:34 PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants Malaysia to maintain its strong ties with both China and the United States
Anwar, however, emphasised that Malaysia would remain neutral without siding with either country, according to a report by the New Straits Times.
Despite rising tensions between both superpowers, Anwar said Malaysia's relationship strategy is to be pragmatic and cautious at the same time.
Anwar said engaging with both superpowers will benefit Malaysia
He reiterated Malaysia's stance to be open to collaborations with both nations and serve as a peacemaker to reduce the risk of a fallout.
"We will work with partners to minimise risks – namely outright conflict or the bifurcation of the global economy into rigid blocs.
"Neither seems likely soon, but both have become plausible under today's mounting pressures.
"I do not believe armed conflict between major powers is inevitable, and middle powers like Malaysia can help reduce tensions through creative diplomacy," Anwar said to over 250 students at the University of California, Berkeley, US.
Anwar's talk was titled Superpower Rivalry and Rising Tensions in the Asia Pacific: The View from Southeast Asia.
