Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's third visit to China in two years reflects Malaysia's high regard and expectations for cooperation with China. Seeking development is the mainstream voice of the Global South, and the West's attempts to control the diplomatic choices of countries in the Global South are facing increasing resistance.

At the invitation of the Chinese side, Anwar will pay a working visit to China from Monday to Thursday, marking his third trip to the country in two years. This visit underscores the Malaysian government's strategy of diversifying relations and highlights the increasingly close and constructive relationship between Malaysia and China.

"Malaysia is an important member of ASEAN. With its high-level leaders visiting China multiple times, the country has played a positive role in cooperating with China to maintain regional stability, peace and development," Shen Shishun, director of the Department for Asia-Pacific Security and Cooperation at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times.

Malaysia has been engaging with various countries to foster friendships, seek development and promote cooperation. However, the West continuously attempts to interfere in its decision-making. According to foreign media reports, Anwar has recently reiterated his refusal to take sides.

At a university event on November 1, Anwar said that he had directly rejected US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's call to stop building friendly relations with Russia on the sidelines of the 19th East Asia Summit in October. Anwar responded to the US by saying, "That's your issue; don't instruct us. We are an independent, sovereign country; we make decisions for our people and our nation."

Anwar has repeatedly criticized the West for forcing countries to take sides, resisting Western pressure while maintaining friendly relations with countries like China and Russia. In a February interview with the Financial Times, when asked about US' criticisms of Malaysia's ties with China, Anwar condemned a rising tide of "China-phobia" in the West, stating, "Why must I be tied to one interest? I don't buy into this strong prejudice against China."

Anwar's refusal to take sides is a rational and pragmatic choice rooted in Malaysia's own development. China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and the pragmatic collaboration between the two countries has brought significant benefits and development to their peoples. Additionally, for Malaysia, engaging with major powers such as China, the US and Russia aligns with its goal of strengthening its voice on the international stage and diversifying its strategic relations.

The West, in order to maintain its hegemony, clings to Cold War thinking, continually creating imaginary enemies and inciting group confrontations while dictating the internal and external affairs of other countries. This arrogant and domineering posture has increasingly provoked resentment among countries in the Global South.

"Countries in the Global South have the ability to make independent judgments and the right to exercise their own foreign policy, choosing positions that are just and in line with the interests of their peoples," Shen Shishun told the Global Times.

Great power competition is not the defining theme of our era, and zero-sum games should not the priority. Prioritizing one's own development is the logical approach. An increasing number of countries in the Global South are beginning to recognize the West's intentions to curb China and Russia by peddling "security anxiety." Dancing to the West's tune will only lead to missed opportunities for win-win cooperation. Many countries in the Global South, including Malaysia, have expressed a desire to join BRICS, illustrating that the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation resonates deeply.

At the same time, in an increasingly multipolar world, emerging economies and developing countries aspire to a more inclusive and equitable world order, seeking greater influence in political and economic realms. 

In the current climate of rising hegemonism, protectionism and unilateralism, some countries are attempting to drag the world into a new Cold War. Upholding independence and autonomy, developing diversified relationships, and pursuing development are the mainstream voices of Southeast Asian nations and the Global South. The West's attempt to control and manipulate these countries' independent choices is a pipe dream, increasingly rejected by the Global South.