PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he backed the One China policy and that historical factors should be considered when examining Taiwan's relationship with China.
Asked about Taiwanese opposition to being governed by China, Anwar said the issue could not be separated from its history.
“I see Taiwan as part of China,” he said.
He said differing views could be expressed but had to be considered within the One China framework.
When the interviewer asked if he sympathised with Taiwanese who rejected what was described as Beijing’s authoritarian rule, Anwar said he sympathised with many issues but saw the Taiwan question differently.
He argued that recognising Taiwan’s separation would amount to supporting the break-up of a country he considers unified.
The interviewer then asked whether Malaysia would condemn China’s position that military force could be used if reunification failed.
Anwar turned to Malaysia as an example, saying the government would defend the country’s unity if a state attempted to secede.
He also questioned the international focus on China’s position over Taiwan, saying similar questions involving countries in Europe, the United States and Africa were not given the same attention.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry responded by rejecting Anwar’s remarks, accusing him of wrongly portraying Taiwan as a breakaway Chinese territory and openly rationalising Beijing’s position on reunification by force.
Taipei reiterated that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country and does not belong to China.
The Foreign Ministry said Anwar, who has spoken publicly about human rights, should uphold democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, while respecting the wishes of the Taiwanese people.
The controversy did not, however, make it onto the Cabinet’s agenda today.
Unity Government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said Anwar’s remarks and Taiwan’s response were not discussed during the Cabinet meeting.
“Ya, tak dibincangkan,” Fahmi said at his post-Cabinet press conference when asked if the Prime Minister’s Al Jazeera interview had been raised.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry had earlier said Anwar’s description of Taiwan as a Chinese territory seeking independence could threaten regional peace and stability.
It also claimed the remarks could affect the confidence of Taiwanese companies considering investment in Malaysia.
In the interview, Anwar pushed back against what he called the “China threat” narrative, saying it was partly driven by Western concerns over Beijing’s influence in the South China Sea.
He defended Malaysia’s policy of engagement with China and pointed to ongoing efforts to negotiate a code of conduct for the South China Sea.
According to Anwar, Malaysia had continued pressing for China’s participation despite earlier resistance.
Asked about the Malaysian Foreign Ministry’s previous description of China’s actions as a serious threat to Malaysia’s sovereignty following the entry of Chinese military aircraft and vessels into Malaysian territory, Anwar said Malaysia would raise its objections when necessary.
He said China would respond when Malaysia raised such concerns.
Anwar also rejected the suggestion that Malaysia was reluctant to take a tougher position on Beijing because China is an important trading partner.
“I am moderate with all my neighbours — with China, with the US,” he said.
He said Malaysia would still make its position clear when disputes arose, whether through public statements or diplomatic channels. – August 19, 2026
