KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has to walk a fine line in maintaining excellent relations with both the United States and China and focus on centrality, a core principle of Asean.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia has made it clear that it cannot take sides.
Speaking to CNN's Christiane Amanpour during an interview session aired tonight, he was asked on how much of a threat does the competition between the superpowers pose to Malaysia and the Indo-Pacific region.
Anwar said the challenge is on Malaysia to maintain centrality.
"Asean talks about centrality. We have to ensure we maintain excellent relations with China and the United States.
"We have been asserting the point that they cannot insist that we take sides. China is an important neighbour, and important trading nation and close to us. The United States have been a traditionally long-time friend who was responsible from the beginning with investing and assisting us in developing the country.
"So how do we then navigate these difficult circumstances, our appeal to leave us in a democratic, peaceful atmosphere and focus on the centrality of Asean and maintain excellent relations," he said.
Amanpour also asked Anwar to elaborate on his previous statement that he wanted Malaysia to be as close to the United States as it is very close to China.
Anwar, in reply, said the United States, as a traditional friend, should have been more proactive in retaining that friendship in terms of understanding the tradition of diplomatic, cultural and economic relations.
He noted that Malaysia's largest defence collaboration remains with the US as well as education, trade and investments.
"But we seem to observe a weakening, or should I say less of a focus because they are probably more involved in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Asked for his view on the newly-issued 'China Standard Map', which has courted controversy following the republic's claims on areas in Malaysian waters, the prime minister replied that Malaysia would continue to discuss the issue at the negotiating table.
"When I met (Chinese Premier) Li Qiang, I talked about these issues and I am happy because they responded very well and it was clear and categorical.
"Yes, we do have these claims, but we will never do anything to exercise actions that would explode or cause dissension with our colleagues, our friends in the region as we will continue to negotiate," he said.
Anwar was also asked if the same dynamics of geopolitical relationship are also being applied by China towards Taiwan where it had been stated that the latter must be part of China by all means.
"As foreign policy positions are concerned, we accept the One China policy.
"I don't believe that they would be aggressive or provocative. But the West and in particular Taiwan, should try to avoid what is termed as unnecessary provocations.
"I think both parties (China and Taiwan as well as its allies) will avoid unnecessary provocations and I don't want Malaysia to be affected by whatever happens," he said.
On Aug 28, China released a map in conjunction with China's National Mapping Awareness Week and Survey and Mapping Publicity Day.
The 2023 China Standard Map also incorporates disputed areas, including claims over Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan, and the South China Sea.
It also included maritime areas within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.