In an email interview, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman tells Tho Xin Yi how far bilateral relations between Malaysia and China have come, and about his hopes for the future.
Q. How have bilateral relations between Malaysia and China benefited Malaysia's development over the years? And what impact has it had on China?
Bilateral relations between Malaysia and China grew significantly and substantially since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974. In 2013, these relations were elevated from “Strategic Cooperation” to “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”, as part of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s visionary policies. For me as the Foreign Minister, this move signalled a new level of bilateral cooperation and engagement for both countries.
Bilateral relations, in order to be close and strong, should not be clouded by one single issue. The multifaceted aspect of Malaysia’s relations with China, and of China’s with Malaysia, has ensured that the lines of communication and dialogue remain open.
Forty-three years ago, the late Tun Abdul Razak, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, went to Beijing for a mission which he described as “a journey of goodwill and friendship to sow the seeds of mutual understanding between Malaysia and China”. Looking back now, his vision has become a reality as the friendship between Malaysia and China is at its best in history.
The strength of the relations is a direct result of the long-standing commitment of successive leadership both in Malaysia and China, fostering and nourishing the relations into a much stronger and more broadly-based platform over the years.
The mutual trust that was built back in 1974 led both countries to explore many cooperative endeavours for mutual benefit. As a consequence, diplomatic relations have prospered and I am delighted that the wisdom and foresight of the former leaders of both countries have also brought us to where we are today – as beneficiaries of a richly rewarding relationship.
The increased diplomatic exchanges have resulted in a robust exchange of visits between both countries, including at the highest level. This is a trend that is expected to continue in the future.
During the meeting between Prime Minister Najib and President Xi Jinping, in May 2017 in Beijing, both leaders agreed that Kuala Lumpur and Beijing should continue to communicate through all available channels and platforms, including the frequent exchange of visits, to discuss the issues of common concern.
Aside from close cooperation in the economic area, both countries are actively engaging each other in the field of education, tourism, defence, agriculture, finance, transport, culture, health, natural resources and environment, science and technology, among others.
In order to foster close cooperation at this level, the interaction and engagement between Malaysia and China must be based on mutual respect between the two countries.
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