Malaysian prime minister urges US and China co-operation in Asia-Pacific

Anwar Ibrahim encouraged ’empathy’ towards China (Jamie Kidston/The Australian National University via AP)

Malaysia’s prime minister has accused the US of becoming more ‘transactional’, using rewards and punishments to achieve aims with other countries, and should be encouraged to enhance co-operation with China in the Asia-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim advocated against taking sides in US-led western rivalries against China for strategic influence in the region. He also rejected western criticism that Malaysia was too accommodating of China as it became increasingly assertive in the South China Sea.