Malaysian prime minister urges US and China cooperation in Asia-Pacific

By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says that the United States has become more “transactional,” using rewards and punishments to achieve aims with other countries, and should be encouraged to enhance cooperation with China in the Asia-Pacific region. Anwar on Thursday advocated against taking sides in U.S.-led Western rivalries against China for strategic influence in the region. He also rejected Western criticism that Malaysia is too accommodating of China as it becomes increasingly assertive in the South China Sea. Anwar promoted “empathy” toward China, which he said regarded negative reactions to its rise as an “attempt to deny their legitimate place in history.”