(Central News Agency reporter Huang Ziqiang, Kuala Lumpur, 20th) Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar’s Taiwan-related remarks continue to trigger heated discussions in Malaysia. Many political and academic figures have stressed that acknowledging the "one-China policy" does not mean supporting reunification by force; criticizing Anwar's relevant statements is a diplomatic error, which is tantamount to giving legitimacy to China's use of force and deviating from Malaysia's long-term stance towards Taiwan.
Anwar Ibrahim recently gave an exclusive interview to Al Jazeera's program on Taiwan issues. His related remarks supporting military unification triggered severe condemnation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that any proposal to unilaterally change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait through force and intimidation will not only seriously endanger regional peace and stability, but will also severely damage bilateral political mutual trust between Taiwan and Malaysia.
However, Malaysian government spokesperson and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that the Malaysian cabinet did not discuss Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ response to Anwar’s statement.
Kedah state executive councilor Haim Hilman said in a Facebook post that Anwar's remarks on the China-Taiwan issue, especially those considered to be defending China's right to use force to unify Taiwan, were a serious and unnecessary diplomatic mistake.
He pointed out that Malaysia does have a clear position on the "one-China policy", but it does not mean that it is necessary to express its views on whether the use of force against Taiwan is reasonable. Because of this, Anwar's remarks about Taiwan this time raise major questions about the consistency of Malaysia's foreign policy.
CY Wong, professor of economics at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), believes that Anwar’s statement clearly supporting China’s military reunification of Taiwan completely undermines Malaysia’s consistent position on the Taiwan Strait issue.
He pointed out that although successive Malaysian prime ministers have adhered to the "One China" policy and characterized the Taiwan Strait dispute as an internal matter, they have never supported unilateral force, opposed any unilateral change of the status quo, and rejected camp confrontation. They have always given regional peace and national economic interests the highest priority.
Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, publicity director of the National Party, believes that Taiwanese people also live in their own social reality and have their own wishes and pursuits. What Malaysia should defend most is its national interests and should not become an agent of Washington or Beijing.
He emphasized that if a war breaks out across the Taiwan Strait, there will be no real winner. China will pay a heavy price, Taiwan will suffer, and the United States and Asia as a whole will also be affected. The global semiconductor industry, trade, shipping, financial markets and supply chains may all be severely disrupted. Malaysia is certainly not immune to negative impacts.
Former PKR deputy chairman Tian Chua also published an article on "One China Policy: Geopolitical Context" and pointed out that although Anwar's remarks about China and Taiwan triggered controversial reactions, China's hostile posture on the Taiwan issue may not be the most ideal or the most acceptable to the international community or neighboring countries.
He said that if the West sincerely hopes for peace in the Taiwan Strait, it should condemn with equal force all violations of sovereignty, whether in Gaza, Kiev, or Taiwan. Western countries should apply the same standards to themselves that they require other countries to abide by. Only in this way can this reality be met with consistent ethical standards that apply to all countries.
Cai Tianqiang pointed out that Malaysia and Taiwan have accumulated cultural and economic ties for generations. Regardless of their diplomatic status, they do not want Taiwan's society and economy to be destroyed by war, and hope that peace and prosperity can continue to exist on this beautiful island.
He believes that acknowledging the "one-China policy" does not equate to supporting violent means to achieve reunification. Including Malaysia, no neighboring country wants a war to break out in the Taiwan Strait. "We may lose too much, including trade, stability, and the lives of ordinary people."
Heinschmann also emphasized that although China is one of Malaysia's most important economic partners, Taiwan and Malaysia also have important economic, trade, investment and technological relations, especially in the electrical and electronics industry and semiconductor ecosystem. Malaysia itself continues to maintain economic exchanges with Taiwan through the Malaysia Friendship and Trade Center in Taipei.
