China Praises Anwar’s Remarks On Taiwan, Says One-China Consensus Is ‘Unshakable’

China has welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent remarks on Taiwan, describing the international consensus surrounding the One-China principle as “unshakable”.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the comments during a regular press conference on Aug. 19, following remarks by Anwar in an interview with Al Jazeera. The Malaysian prime minister said Taiwan is part of China and expressed support for China’s national reunification.

The comments have attracted attention across the region, particularly as Malaysia maintains extensive economic and diplomatic relations with both China and Taiwan.

China welcomes Malaysia’s position

According to the report shared by Phoenix TV, Lin said China appreciated Anwar’s statement and reiterated Beijing’s position that China “must be united”.

He described national reunification as a historical trend that cannot be changed. Beijing has consistently maintained that Taiwan is part of China and that the One-China principle is fundamental to its diplomatic relations with other countries.

Anwar’s remarks were made during an interview with Al Jazeera, where he discussed Malaysia’s position on international affairs and relations with major powers.

The Malaysian government has traditionally maintained diplomatic relations with Beijing while also having substantial trade and economic ties with Taiwan, making Kuala Lumpur’s approach to cross-strait relations closely watched.

Anwar’s remarks draw mixed reactions

The comments have generated a wide range of reactions online, with some social media users supporting Anwar while others questioned Malaysia’s involvement in the Taiwan issue.

Some commenters pointed to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 when discussing Taiwan’s international status. Others argued that the people of Taiwan should have the right to determine their own political future.

Several comments also brought up Singapore and Malaysia’s own history, while others compared the Taiwan issue with territorial and historical disputes elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

The discussion reflects the highly sensitive nature of the Taiwan question, which remains one of the most contentious issues in international politics.

Taiwan issue remains a major regional concern

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly stated that reunification is a national objective. Taiwan, meanwhile, has its own elected government, military and passport system and operates separately from Beijing.

The differing positions have made the Taiwan Strait an important geopolitical flashpoint, particularly amid growing strategic competition between China and the United States.

For Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries, the issue presents a delicate diplomatic balancing act. China is an important trading partner and investor across the region, while ASEAN countries also have strong economic relationships with Taiwan and other major global economies.

Anwar’s latest remarks therefore come at a time when countries in Southeast Asia are continuing to navigate increasingly complex relationships between China, the US and other major powers.

China’s response suggests that Beijing views the Malaysian prime minister’s comments as a positive reaffirmation of its position on Taiwan, while the debate surrounding the remarks shows that views on the island’s future remain sharply divided.