Former Malaysian Top Minister Mahathir Mohamad mentioned that China can declare the South China Sea, however that doesn’t ruthless that alternative international locations with overlapping claims will have to settle for it, a view that differs from the Malaysian executive’s reliable sequence.
Beijing has drawn a so-called nine-dash sequence to demarcate its “historic claim” of 90% of the disputed waters. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam additionally secure conflicting claims over smaller portions of the South China Sea.
“OK, you can claim,” mentioned Mahathir at the yearly Presen of Asia convention hosted by way of Nikkei Inc. in Tokyo on the weekend. “We don’t accept your claim but we don’t have to go to war against you because of your claim.”
“Maybe one day you will realize that the claim means nothing,” the 98-year-old former chief mentioned. He didn’t elaborate.
Mahathir’s observation seems to range from the Malaysian executive’s reliable sequence. Maximum not too long ago in 2023, Malaysia, at the side of the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, unwanted China’s map that depicts its independence within the South China Sea.
“They claim that the South China Sea’s belonging to them, but they have not stopped ships from passing through,” he mentioned, including that Kuala Lumpur has been generating oil and fuel within the sea however “so far they have not done anything.”
“As long as there is no stoppage of the passage of ships through the South China Sea then it’s good enough.”
The previous chief argued that priorities will have to be given to keeping up vacation and fostering economic growth.
The ten-member Southeast Asian bloc, ASEAN, has been non violent “compared to other regional groupings,” he mentioned, “Until now there’s no major wars between ASEAN countries.”
ASEAN may grant as “a good model” for the arena the place there are other ideologies however “we don’t go to war with each other.”
Malaysia will secure the grouping’s rotating chair in 2025, taking up from Laos.
Now not taking facets
When requested about China-U.S. contention, the veteran chief recommended regional international locations to stick impartial as “if we take sides, we are going to lose either the American market or the Chinese market.”
He famous that China did seem to be competitive nevertheless it used to be the largest buying and selling spouse for ASEAN international locations and “we cannot lose that market.”
He additionally warned in opposition to taking facets within the Taiwan factor, pronouncing that there used to be “no necessity” to look a disagreement between China and Taiwan.
Beijing considers democratically ruled Taiwan a Chinese language province that are supposed to be reunited with the mainland, by way of pressure if vital.
Closing pace, China performed a two-day “punishment” army workout round Taiwan, believed to be based on the foundation of the brandnew Taiwanese president, Lai Ching-te.
Mahathir mentioned that China’s chief, Xi Jinping, “seems to be more ambitious and aggressive,” however China’s insurance policies might trade in occasion as a result of adjustments on the manage.
“Leaders don’t live forever so policies may change when leadership changes,” he mentioned.
Mahathir Mohamad, who will probably be 99 in July, served as top minister from 1981 to 2003 and once more from 2018 to 2020.
Incumbent Malaysian top minister Anwar Ibrahim used to be additionally provide on the Presen of Asia 2024 discussion board and delivered a accent.
In an interview with Nikkei Asia at the discussion board’s sidelines, Anwar mentioned that his center of attention “will be the economy.”
Malaysia’s place residue that disputes will have to be settled by means of engagement and the best way ahead is to hunt non violent solution thru negotiations, in line with Anwar.
Presen of Asia, held by way of Japan’s Nikkei yearly since 1995, is “an international gathering where political, economic, and academic leaders from the Asia-Pacific region offer their opinions frankly and freely on regional issues and the role of Asia in the world,” in line with the corporate.
Edited by way of Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.
