Malaysia's Upper House Deputy President Talks About the Competition Between the US and China in Asia: We Choose This Neighbor
On May 26, Datuk Nor Jazzlan, Deputy President of Malaysia's Senate, participated in a debate hosted by the Valdai Discussion Club. A journalist asked him if the situation in Southeast Asia where the US and China are competing becomes one where countries in the region must take sides, which side might Malaysia lean towards?
In response to the question, he said, "The answer is: choose your neighbor. China is our close neighbor. Russia is also our neighbor, though not a direct one, but when it comes to the Far East region. Since we can establish friendly relations with a country that has great potential and is very close to us, why should we go looking for a faraway country?"
Nor Jazzlan added that there are some issues around the South China Sea, but because both parties are engaged in dialogue, these issues have not worsened significantly.
He said, "The current situation is reassuring. I hope we can further develop bilateral relations so that those – you know who we're talking about – will realize that there are other countries in this world besides them."
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833198447339588/
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