Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has distanced himself from growing territorial conflicts in Asia, saying they should not jeopardise the “strategic importance” of his country’s ties with Beijing.
“We must look at the big picture and not define relations with China on a single-issue basis but look at the broad spectrum of the relations, and recognise the strategic importance of our bilateral relationship with China,” Najib told the Nikkei daily.
“We do not want [the territorial] issue to be an impediment to the growing ties between Malaysia and China,” added the Malaysian premier, who is visiting Japan.
The comments come as Vietnam and the Philippines – which along with Malaysia are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) – are embroiled in rows with China over control of parts of the South China Sea.
Tensions remain high in the region after an eruption of deadly anti-China rage in Vietnam over Beijing’s controversial plans to drill for oil in contested waters.
Malaysia’s anxieties also grew after the Chinese navy held exercises in disputed waters late last year, but Najib has played down rival maritime claims with China, Malaysia’s top trade partner.