Trying to contain China will only fuel its grievances, says Malaysian PM

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim warns against containment of China's rise, urges understanding and cooperation in Asia-Pacific.

Attempts to contain China's rise would only aggravate the country and sow discord in the region, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said during a speech in Australia on Thursday.

In an speech at the Australian National University in Canberra, he said countries needed to put themselves in China's shoes and recognise how its leaders saw its military buildup and growing diplomatic influence as a natural result of its economic and technological prowess.

“In their eyes, the adverse actions on China's rise, militarily, economically and technologically, represent nothing less than an attempt to deny their legitimate place in history," Mr. Anwar said.

"The obstacles being placed against China's economic and technological advancement will only further accentuate such grievances.”

Mr. Anwar, who attended an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Australia that ended on Wednesday, repeatedly struck a dovish line on China at the meeting that was overshadowed by clashes between the Philippines and China in the disputed South China Sea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday his country would grow security ties with the U.S. and resist Chinese incursions in the disputed sea.

In his address, Mr. Anwar said Malaysia and Australia had a duty to encourage China, the U.S. and other major players in the Asia-Pacific to behave in a manner conducive to cooperation and economic integration.