MALAYSIA opened a new chapter in its history books in May this year, when voters chose change and elected the Pakatan Harapan government into office. The new government has clearly demonstrated that it has not forsaken its partners – particularly China.

This is even more evident with the visit of Anwar Ibrahim to the dragon state.

First, to address the elephant in the room – the cancellation of the East Coast Rail Line and two gas pipelines and the postponement of the High-Speed Rail link with Singapore. Though it may have irked Chinese leaders, it cannot be emphasised enough that the move was made primarily with the government’s bleeding coffers in mind.

The irresponsible nature of how such deals were hammered out during the time of former prime minister Najib Razak necessitated a serious relook into the financing structure and deployment of such projects, which cost billions of taxpayer ringgit.

Nevertheless, that one move alone should not be misconstrued as dialling back years of positive relations between these two great nations.

It is important to note that Sino-Malaysian relations are not entirely based on strategic interests, but longstanding shared cultural and historical values.

Relations between China and the Malay archipelago can be traced to the first century – before modern notions of the statehood and nationality existed. As trade between China and India blossomed, so did instances of Sino-Malay cultural exchanges due to the archipelago’s strategic location on the route taken by Chinese and Indian sails.

Ties were further reinforced in the 15th century when the Ming Dynasty established diplomatic relations with the Malacca Sultanate. Evidence of the friendship between these two kingdoms still exists until today. Mixed marriages between Chinese traders and Malaccan locals resulted in the creation of the Peranakan or Baba Nyonya society, which remains a strong symbol of Sino-Malay cultural syncretism.

In the nation-state’s postwar era, Malaysia was one of the first non-communist countries in the region to reestablish cordial relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1974. This rapprochement not only helped stem the red scare within Malaysian borders, but had a domino effect on a regional scale. Following Malaysia’s footsteps, other Southeast Asian states developed similar relations with China, which in turn helped to improve peace and stability in the region.

Suffice to say, this evolution in longstanding ties between China and Malaysia is further proof that China remains a steadfast partner to Malaysia. Having teased a rise for more than a decade, China’s crucial role in political and economic security on a global scale cannot be understated any longer.

Anwar’s visit comes at a critical juncture in international relations between Malaysia and China. Beijing would want to peer into the crystal ball to understand the nuances of a leader with whom they will be dealing with in the future and vice versa.  

As such, the tenor of his visit carries a simple yet profound message – one of inclusivity.

On the economic front, inclusivity translates to free and fair trade and investment. As protectionist undertones continue to threaten the liberal international order, China’s embrace of free trade is music to our ears, given that China is Malaysia’s largest trading partner and bilateral trade is expected to exceed RM100 billion this year, up from RM97 billion last year.

China also represents a lucrative opportunity for businesses to tap into its huge market. Market access works both ways, as Chinese businesses like Alibaba and Tencent are also keen on expanding to Southeast Asian economies. Furthermore, as we continue to embrace the digital economy, we stand to benefit from investment and knowledge transfer from such technology giants.

Security-wise, China’s involvement in regional multilateral initiatives is indicative of its preparedness to engage with stakeholders like Malaysia in addressing regional security issues. The South China Sea dispute is a prime concern that requires much tact and inclusive judgement. China and other relevant parties have already demonstrated their commitment to settling the dispute diplomatically, which is a collective step in the right direction towards adopting a principled approach in finding a solution benefiting all.  

It is also critical that the value of inclusivity be demonstrated by the recognition of universal values of humanity. Along that vein, Anwar is the ideal person to convey concerns about the treatment of Uighur Muslims by the Chinese government, having tasted relentless persecution and prison life.

As a prominent leader in the Muslim world, his support for the move to relocate the 11 Uighur Muslims to Turkey and not return them to China is a strong indicator of Malaysia’s future foreign policy direction, one that is morally ethical and will not forsake our country’s standing as a global leader in moderate Islam.

Under this new stewardship, Malaysia will witness a new era in its relations with China, underpinned by the facets of history, culture, and diplomacy against the backdrop of a shifting world order. This is a world order where we no longer cower to the whims of any one superpower, but leverage on a shared vision which brings long lasting prosperity to all.

* Senator Yusmadi Yusoff is a lawyer and the founder of RIGHTS Group, an independent think tank and charitable organisation based in Kuala Lumpur.