MALAYSIA’S position on the One China policy has remained unchanged since diplomatic ties were established with China in 1974, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
Anwar said the policy was adopted during the administration of the country’s second prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, and had been maintained by successive governments.
He said Malaysia respected China’s position on Taiwan but believed any solution to the issue should be reached through peaceful means.
“I only follow a consistent policy. Of course, we respect China’s position, but a peaceful approach is the best,” he told reporters after attending a TikTok conference here.
Anwar was responding to remarks by Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry, which criticised his recent comments on Taiwan and accused him of openly justifying Beijing’s position on reunification by force.
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Anwar said he viewed Taiwan as part of China.
He said Malaysia’s position was consistent with that of the United Nations, which recognises the People’s Republic of China as the representative of China.
“So, it is not something new. It has already been processed by the United Nations,” he said.
Anwar said the manner in which the question was put to him during the interview may have contributed to the reaction from Taiwan.
“The way the question was pressed by Al Jazeera may have caused a negative reaction,” he said.
He also drew a comparison with the United States, saying the country had not allowed its states to split up following the American War of Independence.
Malaysia established diplomatic relations with China in 1974 under Abdul Razak, making it one of the earliest Southeast Asian countries to formally recognise Beijing. – August 20, 2026
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