Anwar Ibrahim Reaffirms One China Policy Amid Taiwan Backlash

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sparked diplomatic controversy during an Al Jazeera interview by stating, "I see Taiwan as part of China, period." He argued that the one-China principle is accepted by all and compared the situation to Malaysia's own internal stability, asserting he would use force to protect the unity of the nation if a province attempted to secede.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China commended the remarks, describing the upholding of the one-China principle as a reflection of popular sentiment and an unstoppable historical trend. In contrast, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) condemned the statements as false, warning that the comments could damage the confidence of Taiwanese businesses investing in Malaysia.

On August 20, Anwar defended his position by comparing China's territorial integrity to the United States' historical refusal to allow territories to secede. While maintaining that Malaysia continues to uphold the One China policy, he later toned down his rhetoric, emphasizing that a "peaceful path is best" and suggesting that the framing of the original interview triggered the negative reaction.