KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia remains committed to maintaining strong economic ties with Taiwan while upholding its recognition of the One China Policy, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said as of Wednesday (Nov 11), there had been no signs of investor flight from Taiwan.
"Taiwan is an important trading partner. Our economic cooperation, trade and investment relations are good, and we want to maintain these positive economic and trade ties,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 12)
However, we cannot contravene the One China Policy. Our recognition is of one China, with its government based in Beijing,” he added.
Anwar said Taiwan had significant investments in projects in Malaysia, including one that is to the tune of close to RM1bil investment in Kedah.
“As far as I am concerned, there have been no problems with Taiwanese investments and business operations to date. Even as of yesterday, there were no issues,” he said.
There are new investments, and discussions are continuing. However, we must distinguish between trade relations, economic cooperation and our positive working relationship with Taiwan,” he added.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi) on whether the government could confirm a news report which stated that Taiwan had suspended investment talks with Malaysia following his remarks describing Taiwan as part of China.
He said the One China Policy had been in place since 1974.
“From a policy perspective, I would say that our policy has not changed. Malaysia's policy has remained consistent since 1974, and the current government recognises the One China Policy,” he said.
He said this is also why Malaysia does not have an embassy in Taiwan to this day.
“At most, there is only a trade office. There is no official diplomatic office to this day,” he said.
He also dismissed notions that there were “trade negotiations”, adding that the postponed meeting was that of an Economic Cooperation Committee.
“ The meeting was postponed at the time, and we have now referred the matter back to them, requesting that the meeting be resumed,” he said.
This is the Economic Cooperation Committee, not what was mentioned earlier. There are no negotiations as such. There are, however, a Trade Working Committee and an Investment Working Committee,” he added.
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