Mutual trust and understanding essential

China can also take the lead in regional good governance.

TO achieve international connectivity, close international cooperation and coordination is required at all times, said political analyst Bunn Nagara.

And this also requires a certain level of trust and confidence among countries, he stressed.

For China and Malaysia, however, this is being challenged by active disputes in the South China Sea between China and Malaysia’s Asean neighbours as well as other “security incidents”, said Nagara at the recent Friends of Silk Road forum organised by the Malaysia-China Friendship Association.

“Some of these altercations have been bitter and alarming, and steadily more incidents have affected Malaysia.”

Nagara said these are avoidable and costly problems which have a significant impact on regional policy.

“They are costly because without these unnecessary challenges, regional cooperation, integration and development would improve tremendously. They occur at great cost to all of us.”

Together, China and Asean countries can do much more and achieve greater heights of development, but political will and courage are needed to turn wise thoughts into reality, he said.

“Some argue that the South China Sea issue is a key hurdle to deepening our bilateral relationship but I don’t think that because this comes from history and this can be discussed and resolved diplomatically.

“The immediate problem is not the conflicting claims, which have been there for years and will still be there for years to come. The outstanding problem is the possible actions that happen can be a very dangerous situation.“

“Closer cooperation and coordination are key, and whether and how far we can progress and succeed on these issues remain to be seen. I hope we have the political will to do what is necessary for all our interests in this region. I also hope that we can all work more closely together to achieve these necessary ends.

“For example, China and Asean should have quiet diplomatic discussions, away from all the publicity, so that we can talk frankly and quietly behind the scenes, so that others may not intervene.”

Another area where China can take the lead is in regional good governance, Nagara said.

“China could help us as well in terms of showing what kind of governance is needed to ensure sustainable economic growth.”

He explained that an unfortunate aspect of rapid economic development in this region is corrupt practices and persons.

“China has done a very good job in clamping down on corruption, which many other countries would like to do as well. But since corruption is often an international crime with cross-border implications, governments need to work more closely against it. An effective regional anti-corruption regime will need efficient extradition laws to deal with suspected individuals and fugitives from justice.”

China can be a global leader in anti-corruption laws and action, said Nagara.

“No country can object to that, and all countries will then follow China’s positive leadership in this effort. Many of these solutions are vital and not difficult to implement, given the political will.

“They are necessary if greater economic growth, with more development through better regional integration, is to be assured.”