Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently expressed his support for Beijing's "One China" principle, which holds that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it. This stance has been commended by Beijing, with the Chinese foreign ministry stating that it reflects popular sentiment and that the international community's commitment to the stance is "not to be shaken". In an interview with Al Jazeera, Anwar voiced his support for the principle and defended China's right to use force if a peaceful cross-strait reunification fails.
China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, but says it prefers "peaceful reunification". The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said that upholding the "One China" principle reflects popular sentiment and "stands on the side of what is right". He also stated that "there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory".
While countries have adopted different interpretations of the "One China" policy, Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recognised the government of the People's Republic of China as the "sole legal government of China". The ministry has also described Taiwan as an "inalienable territory of the People's Republic of China" and stated that Malaysia will not support any call for the independence of Taiwan. China President Xi Jinping and Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met in Putrajaya in April 2025.
The meeting highlighted the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries. Anwar's comments were made during an interview with Al Jazeera that was aired on Monday. His stance on the "One China" principle has been seen as a significant development in the region, with China praising his support for the principle.
The situation in Taiwan remains complex, with the island's current government rejecting the "One China" principle. However, China's foreign ministry has stated that "nothing will stop China from being reunified", indicating the country's determination to achieve national reunification. In terms of what happens next, China's reunification is seen as an unstoppable historical trend.
The country's foreign ministry has stated that upholding the "One China" principle is essential for achieving national reunification. As the situation continues to unfold, it is likely that China will continue to push for its "One China" principle, with Malaysia's support being seen as a significant development in the region.
