Malaysian PM backs one-China principle

As Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim voiced unequivocal support for the one-China principle and China's reunification in a recent media interview, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that China "commends" the Malaysian leader's remarks.

In a video interview with Al Jazeera released on Sunday, the Malaysian leader said, "I see Taiwan as part of China, period … It is one China. It is accepted by all."

When asked about his view on China not committing to renouncing the use of force, Anwar responded by drawing an analogy with Malaysia.

"If one province decides to break away, do we use force?" Anwar was quoted as saying. "I think I will protect the sanctity and unity of the nation."

At a daily news conference in Beijing on Wednesday, Lin, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, said, "China commends Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's remarks."

"Upholding the one-China principle is where public opinion trends and the right thing to do," he said in response to a question about the interview with Anwar.

"The international community's commitment to the one-China principle is not to be shaken," he added.

In the interview, the Malaysian prime minister also lashed out at the double standards adopted by some Western countries against China.

"When it comes to China, it's hypocrisy. You don't talk about many countries in Europe breaking up, or within the US, or Africa … but you focus only on China," he said.

Condemning the attempts to lend support to "Taiwan independence" forces, Anwar criticized such a way of "condoning an attempt to break up a legitimate independent country". "I don't accept that," he said.

On Wednesday, Lin, the spokesman, stressed at the news conference that "there is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory".

"China must and will achieve reunification. This will not be stopped," he said.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn