KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and China’s long and well-established bilateral relations and “comprehensive strategic partnership”, will only grow from strength to strength, said Tan Sri T.C Goh, President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong).
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Goh who is also the Chairman of the Malaysia-China Business Council (MCBC) thus welcomed and fully supported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s firm stance that Malaysia, as an independent nation, does not wish to be forced by any power to take sides in the ongoing Western strategic competition against China.
Goh, who is also the President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) was responding to Anwar’s statement while speaking at a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, in the Australian city of Melbourne, on Monday.
Goh said the “China-phobia” of Western countries should not be imposed on other nations, especially Malaysia, which has always maintained a close and friendly relationship with China.
He also described Western countries’ attitude and approach as unwise and undemocratic.
“The Western countries, which have always emphasized and practiced democracy, should also respect and maintain the spirit of ‘international democracy’ in this regard,” he added.
He also agreed with the Prime Minister’s assertion that “Malaysia remains an important friend of the United States and Europe, but they should not preclude us from being friendly to one of our important neighbors, precisely China.”
“If they have problems with China, they should not impose it upon us. We do not have a problem with China,” said Anwar.
He also hoped that more countries would maintain independence and not be influenced by Western countries in related events.
Goh noted that this was the second time the Prime Minister has made such a significant statement on related events recently. Last month, during an interview with the Financial Times in Penang, the Prime Minister first used the term “China-phobia” when responding to US criticism of Malaysia’s relationship with Beijing, contending that “China is Malaysia’s biggest trading partner, why would Malaysia want to have issues with China?”.
Goh reiterated that the stance of some Western countries towards China, due to political reasons, is prejudiced and undemocratic.
“Malaysia’s long-standing independent, neutral, and friendly stance and foreign policy should be respected and recognized by the international community and emulated by those countries with independent views,” he said.
He reminded that since the establishment of diplomatic relations half a century ago, leaders of Malaysia and China have visited each other frequently, while private and business interactions and cooperation have been close, as indicated by bilateral trade volume reaching new highs, and the implementation of visa-free visits has obviously further boosted bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, as anticipated.-pr/BNN
