Anwar’s China Visit Has Bolstered Malaysia’s Rising Strategic Profile

From Voon Miaw Ping

BEIJING, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to China this week demonstrated Malaysia’s growing role in principled and strategic diplomacy amid a deeply fragmented and rapidly shifting world order.

The Prime Minister’s four-day working visit which concluded today was filled with high-level engagements with Chinese leaders, industry players and interactions with world leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025.

Anwar’s debut in the event, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has stood out as a key highlight of the visit, also marking the first time a Malaysian leader and sitting ASEAN Chair being invited to the high-level Eurasian forum.

The Prime Minister held back no punches in his remarks when he condemned Israel’s brutal aggressions in Gaza.

Speaking in front of the world leaders including UN secretary-general Antonio Gutteres, he criticised the UN for failing to not fulfilling its mandate to prevent conflicts and protect the vulnerable.

The Prime Minister lamented that it also allows the Zionist regime to act with impunity, deeming it no longer seen as having the aspiration or will to reform itself, as the gap between ideals and action continued to widen.

“Between aspirations and realities lies a shadow. It is alarming because it has caused disparity and allowed atrocities to be inflicted with impunity,” he said at the SCO Plus Summit held in Tianjin on Monday.

Anwar also warned that the failures of the current multilateral system and the deficit of trust in the international system has left the world being unable to prevent atrocities and aggression.

“Atrocities inflicted in front of our very eyes in Gaza, Palestine. Killing of children and babies with impunity and the international community somehow seems to be helpless,” he said.

Amid the fragmenting international system, Anwar proposed the concept of “sovereign interdependence” to rebuild trust among nations and promote global stability.

He described the concept as the “art of standing tall without standing apart” where nations can remain fully themselves, sovereign and open.

“We must design interdependence that fortifies sovereignty rather than undermine it.

“Interdependence should not make nations fearful that their autonomy will be diluted. It should give them confidence that, by being connected, their resilience is multiplied,” he said during his public lecture at the Tianjin University.

This visit, his fourth to China since taking office in November 2022, underscored deep trust and comprehensive ties between both nations since diplomatic ties were established in 1974. 

During his visit to the capital here, Anwar had also called on Xi at the Great Hall of the People. The meeting was also the fourth time they met in person so far.

Following the meeting, Anwar revealed that Xi pledged his full support for accelerating Malaysia's full membership in the BRICS bloc. 

"This is a great honour and a sign of support for our country to continue playing an important role on the world stage," he said.

Malaysia is currently a partner country of the 11-member organisation.

Anwar also met his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang for talks and honoured with a special dinner reception at the historic Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. 

Economic diplomacy has also been another key pillar in Anwar’s missions overseas where he actively promoted and positioned Malaysia as a high value regional hub for global companies. 

At a business dialogue with 120 Chinese investors and companies in the capital city here, Anwar who is also Finance Minister highlighted Malaysia’ clear economic policy, strategic infrastructure and stable environment as some of the key advantages for long term investments.

He said close relations between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing which is now at the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) level, is also a factor for making Malaysia an investment destination for Chinese companies.

China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 years since 2009 with total trade between the two countries reaching RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s total global trade (RM2.879 trillion).

Anwar and wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who accompanied him on the visit departed for Kuala Lumpur at 1.58 pm after attending the Victory Day parade and banquet hosted by the Chinese President earlier Wednesday. 

-- BERNAMA