China’s President Xi Jinping (front right), talks with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak (front left)
Following Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent visit to China, Malaysia’s prime minister is the latest leader of a nation that claims territory in the South China Sea to travel to Beijing.
Najib Razak arrives in the Chinese capital today for a six-day visit to the country whose claims to virtually the entire strategic waterbody overlaps with areas that Malaysia says belong to it.
Malaysia claims a swath of the South China Sea north of Borneo, along with islands and reefs, but has been relatively understated amid feuding among fellow claimants China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
In a Facebook message, Najib said he hoped his visit would strengthen Malaysia’s ties with its largest trading partner, including on “regional and international issues.”
The message did not specifically mention the South China Sea, although Najib recently said Malaysia would not compromise on its claims but wanted them to be hashed out through dialogue and peaceful negotiations. Countries in the region should avoid provocative acts that could create tension, anxiety and suspicion, he was quoted as telling the nation’s Parliament. Peace and stability were of primary importance, he said.
Those comments suggest Najib will be as non-confrontational on the issue as Duterte was during his visit. In Beijing. Duterte repeatedly heaped praise on China and scorn on the United States, winning billions of dollars in deals to boost the Philippine economy and warm years of icy relations between Beijing and Manila.
Malaysian media reported that during his visit Najib will oversee the signing of more than 10 bilateral agreements, including ones on defense and economic cooperation. AP
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