Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the One China policy, sparking both approval from Beijing and disapproval from Taipei by stating that he views Taiwan as part of China. While this stance aligns with Malaysia’s diplomatic history, dating back to the establishment of relations with Beijing in 1974, Anwar emphasized Malaysia’s continuous support for a peaceful resolution regarding cross-strait tensions.
Malaysia’s adherence to the One China policy recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China and accepts Beijing’s perspective on Taiwan. However, Kuala Lumpur also highlights the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Anwar’s recent comments have been welcomed by Beijing as they echo China’s stance on Taiwan, but Taiwan has rejected these remarks, insisting on its sovereignty and cautioning against statements that may heighten military pressure concerns.
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Taiwan, the two maintain substantial economic, cultural, and technological connections through representative offices. Anwar’s remarks could potentially strain Malaysia’s relationship with Taiwan, especially among Taiwanese businesses and investors wary of geopolitical risks. Nonetheless, Malaysia is expected to continue its strategy of balancing its robust ties with China while maintaining economic engagements with Taiwan.
Trade between Malaysia and Taiwan was significant, amounting to US$54.49 billion in 2025, positioning Taiwan as one of Malaysia’s key trading partners. Although diplomatic tensions exist, the economic interests shared by the two regions could foster ongoing collaboration. Anwar’s comments underline Malaysia’s delicate diplomatic balancing act, as it navigates its historical commitments to China alongside its economic interactions with Taiwan.