Neither US nor China should see M'sia as its proxy - Chin Tong
Both the United States and China should not see Malaysia and other Asean nations as their proxies, says Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong.
Liew, who was speaking in his personal capacity at a forum on the US-China trade war in Sunway University today, stressed that Malaysia will not choose sides in the ongoing trade dispute between the two superpowers.
"Inherently, we don't want to choose a side...
Both the United States and China should not see Malaysia and other Asean nations as their proxies, says Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong.
Liew, who was speaking in his personal capacity at a forum on the US-China trade war in Sunway University today, stressed that Malaysia will not choose sides in the ongoing trade dispute between the two superpowers.
"Inherently, we don't want to choose a side, we want to maintain (our) large and independent policy space as much as possible.
"China is like a huge elephant and has to realise that it is big. This is because in its narrative, China sees itself as a victim of the US and its allies, and therefore it is doing the right thing, vis-à-vis the US.
"It is very important (for China and US) not to see this country as a proxy of one or the other," he said.
The ongoing trade dispute was triggered last year after US President Donald Trump announced higher tariffs on Chinese goods, with Beijing retaliating in kind.
Liew also reminded Beijing that aside from the trade war, its relations with Southeast Asian nations should also be taken into consideration.
"Malaysia is indeed a small country in face of China. China would have to handle the small states in a very tender way.
"The challenge is for China and everyone else not to force others to make a choice (between it and the US), and not to see small independent states as proxies of anyone," he stressed.
Liew further urged China to take a different tack to maintaining its ties in the region.
"There is much room for China to adjust its approach, to make it softer and more appealing to independent actors and independent small states," he said.
"For instance, when President Xi Jinping talked about the One Belt One Road Initiative in May 2017, he spoke of projects having to be transparent and above board.
"I think those things can be enforced, and would make small states more comfortable than they are now," he said.
Citing another example, he said China has the right to its 'Nine-Dash Line' – to demarcate its claims to parts of the South China Sea – without needing to enforce it.
Well said, Chin Tong in your personal capacity. ???
It's a long wish list. And why should the US or China grant them? Why should they not use willing members of ASEAN as "proxies"? Like Cambodia (China), Vietnam (USA) and Philippines (USA and China)? The fact is ASEAN is vital for the security and influence of both superpowers. More crucial for China. Therefore why should China "make it softer and more appealing to independent actors and independent small states"? There is no free lunch in this word of really real politics! Malaysia must identify where its long term interests lie and choose accordingly. And if Malaysia wants to walk the tight rope she must build up its military power. Otherwise, like Cambodia in 1970, Malaysia will walk the tight rope between China and the US until either superpower decides to cut the "tight rope". Please remember the US and China have been sparing for influence in South East Asia since the Korean War (1950-1953). The stakes are even higher now: the successful rise of China and the expulsion of the US from the western Pacific Ocean.
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