Consider This: China-Malaysia (Part 1) - Recalibrating Fraternal Relations?

Apr 13, 2021, 02:36 PM

The Foreign Minister was recently criticised over his “big brother” remark during a press conference in Beijing with his China counterpart, Wang Yi. Following the blowback, the Minister released a statement that he was merely practicing ‘Asian values’, and showing respect for “a more senior Foreign Minister”. Was this a major diplomatic faux pas, or were his critics overreacting and what does signal about our changing relationship with China? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Thomas Daniel, Fellow, Foreign Policy and Security Studies Programme, ISIS Malaysia.