Dr. Peter Chang is the Deputy Director of the Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya. He holds his Doctorate from Harvard University, US. He works on more applied ethics trajectory, exploring how a rejuvenated Confucian tradition may shape the evolving character of the Chinese milieu and in turn impact the global community. Dr. Chang is also analysing the opportunities and risks associated with the Belt and Road Initiative. He is examining this from the perspective of China’s soft power, specifically the Chinese traditional as well as pop cultural imprints upon Malaysia, and the world at large. Nepalkhabar talked to Dr. Chang on China-Malaysia relations. Excerpts:
Beijing and Kuala Lumpur agreed to boost bilateral relations during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Malaysia, as he winds up his five-nation tour in Southeast Asia. In general, how do you look at the relationship between China and Southeast Asia? More specifically, what is your assessment of the China and Malaysia relationship? And how both countries are working together to boost bilateral, diplomatic and economic ties?
In general, the China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) relationship remains one of the strong working ties despite the fact that there are still certain issues or contentions, for example on the South China Sea territorial dispute. But on the whole, the ASEAN and China still retain the understanding that both the regions and China need to work together for the greater good of the region especially on the economic front.
So, the ASEAN in general is willing to set aside some of the contentious issues in order to work on some of the common interests or common goals that we have with China. And China and Malaysia relations most specifically remain within that broad framework of China -ASEAN relations. Despite having some differences, we recognize that there are a lot of similarities in terms of goals and aspirations that we share with China, on account of which both the countries have been able to work together especially on the economic front.
As we know that it’s already been two years since Malaysia has been struggling to recover from post pandemic recession. The economic recovery is gradually gaining pace but it would be much better if China is able to move past their Zero COVID policy and begin to open up once again, so that there will be a much broader and deeper reengagement and economic leverage for both the countries to really jump start again the pandemic stricken growth.
So, I really hope that this would happen in the coming months in 2023 as China re-opens its door in order for us to get back to a full speed in terms of economic cooperation and joint development.
After the 20th National Congress of Chinese Communist Party, many scholars and people believe that Xi Jinping is more powerful than the previous presidents of China. What do you think of it? How do you look at the ten years of Xi Jinping’s tenure as the president of China? What would be his major priority areas? What are the major challenges and opportunities for Xi during his third term?
President Xi Jinping’s continuation of his presidency into the third term will bring some stability, obviously to China itself in terms of leadership and also some stability and predictably in terms of China’s international relations with the outside world and to Malaysia, particularly. At a time when we are seeing constant changes of leaders on the global stage to have a leader that remains on the global stage for the next five years, a familiar leader will bring some stability to the current geopolitical changes.
I think President Xi will continue its vision and mission that he adopted during his first ten years. In the next five years, his Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will remain a central part of his foreign policy. The BRI gained momentum during the second term of his tenure. Unfortunately, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, that momentum has slowed down, so we hope that during his third term, he would revive his epoch making vision of infrastructure networking for Southeast Asia, Asia and the rest of the world. The BRI will continue to be an engine of growth for China itself and also for the rest of Asia, Africa and part of Europe, and Latin America.
Currently, the US is also strengthening its relations with Southeast Asia. What is your assessment of US role in Southeast Asia? And how does China see the US relations with South East Asia? What are the major areas where China is focusing on to keep its dominance in Southeast Asia vis-à-vis the US?
The US continues to have a very important role in Southeast Asia especially in the area of national security. Most of the ASEAN member states recognize that the US will continue to play a pivotal role for the economic stability and national security of the region. Lately, the ASEAN member states, have been urging the US to be more involved in the region beyond national security, to also have a stronger economic presence in the region. To that, the US has taken some initiatives to be more involved in the economic development of the region, but it remains to be seen whether these initiatives and ambitions will come into fruition. The ASEAN in general welcomes a more proactive American economic presence on top of its security presence in the region.
China does see and recognize that the US is in some form of competition and rivalry with itself in Southeast Asia and recognize that there is a certain form of geopolitical reconfiguration in terms of dominance in the region. Nonetheless, I think China recognizes the ASEAN member states’ desire to see the two superpowers to be able to coexist, to work alongside each other rather than in confrontation with each other. To that, I think, China also has to find a way in which it could co-exist with the US in the ASEAN and more broadly in the East Asia.
I think it is good for everybody, for the ASEAN states, the US and China as well, if the two superpowers reach a common understanding to cooperate and work alongside each other for the sake of their own national interest and the benefit of the world.
