At the Malaysia-China Business Community luncheon on Thursday (June 20), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the friendly and respectful attitude of Chinese leadership, emphasising the deep understanding of cultural differences during his recent interactions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Read more at https://shorturl.at/SsAHF
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline
Read more at https://shorturl.at/SsAHF
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Excellency, Premier Lee Chiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic
00:14of China, fellow ministers, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, contrary to the barrage
00:23of questions and narrative from the others, I sense the attitude of the Chinese leadership,
00:33friendly, courteous, full of respect, understanding of cultures and differences.
00:43And this is not what is being portrayed elsewhere.
00:47In most of my encounters, engagements with many friends overseas, particularly the West,
00:53the basic question asked is whether this sort of enhanced bilateral comprehensive strategic
01:00relationship would be at the expense of Malaysia as a small nation.
01:07I've given them assurances based on historical antecedents from the time of the emperors
01:14in China and the sultans in Malacca, that did not convince them.
01:20But I think this visit by Premier Lee Chiang, my esteemed friend, which I greatly respect,
01:26has proven the case.
01:27We have hours of discussions.
01:30Nothing seems to be arrogant, condescending or ultimatum.
01:38Yes, there are issues, some more contentious, but we discuss as equal partners, as trusted
01:47friends.
01:48But extending beyond that, which I want to reiterate today, is our concern about our
01:54families, about the future of our children, the quality of education, the facilities accorded
02:01through TVETS, through AI and digital, all these things are shared.
02:07There are issues that we can contribute less, there are issues that the Chinese can contribute
02:13more.
02:14And we discuss this as close friends.
02:18How do we do this together and benefit one another?
02:23And again, beyond this, what is close to my heart, and Premier Lee Chiang knows, in our
02:29discussion with President Xi Jinping, covers even issues of civilisation.
02:36And they know the fact that in 1995, I organised this major international conference, Islam
02:45and Confucianism, get people to understand and appreciate one another, get people to
02:53understand that we have differences in terms of our belief and our culture.
02:59But let us be ethical, embody ethical principles of a humane economy.
03:07And I am pleased that Premier Lee Chiang mentioned this specifically.
03:11Let us collaborate to enhance our understanding and probably support the whole idea of a dialogue,
03:17a meaningful dialogue between Islam and Confucianism.
03:22Now, I choose to say this because this in itself is a rebuke and rebuttal to the incessant
03:31propaganda that we should cast as persons and fear the dominance of China economically,
03:40militarily, technology.
03:45We do not.
03:47We in Malaysia, having a neutral stance, have the resolve to work with all countries.
03:58And with China, we see, Premier Lee Chiang, we see you as a friend that would work together
04:07with us, collaborate and prove to the world that this unity, this friendship is meaningful.
04:17Thank you.
04:18Thank you.