Mahathir urged ASEAN to move closer to China and stay away from the United States to "provoke" China

[Global Times special reporter Xin Bin in Singapore] After criticizing the United States to "provoke" China on the Taiwan issue, former Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir urged the ASEAN countries to move closer to China and accuse Washington's intensive tension in the region.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir. Data map

According to the British "Financial Times" reported on the 30th, Mahathir, a 97 -year -old Mahathir, recently expanded the tension in the Taiwan Strait area on the "American provocation" and urged Southeast Asian countries to move closer to China. He said that China is a "big market" in Malaysia and the region, and it is important to maintain this economic relationship.

The Financial Times quoted Mahathir's words that Chinese philosophy is different from the West, not conquest and occupying other countries. He said: "China does claim that the South China Sea is their own, but they have not invaded us. They want to affect the approach of ASEAN countries, but they have not occupied us, but they are investing in us. China is a very good trading partner." Mahathr Er said that ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, need to stay away from the United States and the West's "provocations" to China. The Financial Times stated that the "provocation" here refers to the visit of Taiwan's visit to Taiwan in early August. The interview was angry with China.

"Financial Times" commented that Mahathir's remarks highlight the dilemma facing Southeast Asian countries. These countries have long relied on the United States in terms of security and China. Many national governments in the region have been working hard to find ways to cope with the tensions between the two superpowers.

According to the Japanese NHK TV station, Mahathir discussed the impact of the relationship between the United States and China on Asia in an interview with the TV station in July. He said that the new economic initiative led by the United States, the so -called "Indo -Pacific Economic Framework", is more about driving China away, rather than united countries. He said: "This economic grouping is actually not related to the economy. This is to exclude and fight against China. This is very political."

NHK said that Mahathir carefully handled the relationship between Malaysia and China, and issued a warning to Asia in the interview: "We don't need to fight. The United States seems to be keen to block China, which means upgrading and sending warships to send warships Enter the South China Sea. One day, an accident may happen. "

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