Malay language's diplomatic debut in Beijing, 50 years on

KUALA LUMPUR: Delivering speeches in the Malay language on the global stage is not a new phenomenon. Among the national figures who have elevated the national language on the world stage are Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman in 1957 and former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri in 2022, both of whom spoke in the national language at the United Nations.

However, the public address in the Malay language by the "Father of Malaysia's Development," the late Tun Abdul Razak, at the Great Hall of the People in Peking (now known as Beijing), China, in 1974 opened a new chapter in the history of the country's diplomacy.

FIRST TIME IN PEKING SQUARE

Official diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China began with Abdul Razak's visit and speech in the mother tongue in the communist country, which was less open to the outside world during the Cold War era.

Reflecting on this momentous occasion, BERNAMA's comprehensive report last year in commemoration of Abdul Razak's 100th birth anniversary highlighted that the second prime minister indeed chose to deliver his speech entirely in the Malay language during his inaugural visit to Beijing.

Associate Professor Obaidellah Mohammad, his speech translator on that historic evening, also said in the report, "(He) informed at the state banquet tonight (at that time) that he wanted to speak in the Malay language. So, Abdul Razak told me he would speak one paragraph (in Malay), and I would translate one paragraph (into Mandarin)," he said.

In the 1970s, it was unimaginable how the hundreds present in the grand hall focused on the statesman from Malaysia speaking in a foreign language before them.

Believe it or not, behind Malaysia's anti-Communist foreign policy, history was made, and Abdul Razak's visit turned out to be the precursor to diplomatic relations that, today (May 31, 2024) celebrate their 50th anniversary!

CHINA AS A PROSPECT

Malaysia, as an independent country, needed good trade relations with foreign countries to drive the economic development in the country.

"I saw that Abdul Razak at that time looked at healthy initiatives if he could establish trade relations with China, especially in the main commodity sectors such as rubber and tin.

"Faced with the bullying tactics by big countries that practice the commodity buffer stock system, Malaysia can no longer rely solely on countries in Europe and the United States," he told BERNAMA.

Therefore, the Malaysian government at that time began to seek new markets, including socialist countries and the Soviet Union. But China, being closer, was seen as the best prospect for export and import trade. From this trade aspect, Abdul Razak, who was from Pekan, Pahang, believed that bilateral relations should be supported by diplomatic relations, which could then be expanded not only to economic relations but also to social and cultural relations.

In that first visit, six declarations were made by both parties through a joint statement signed on May 31, 1974, by Chinese Prime Minister Chou En Lai and Abdul Razak, including the establishment of diplomatic relations, which subsequently made Malaysia the first ASEAN country to establish diplomatic relations with China.

CHINA AS A TRADITIONAL PARTNER, RESPECT FOR MALAYSIA

According to Mohd, the relationship established immediately after the first visit did not just stop there but continued to be enhanced in various positive contexts.

He added that although China's perception as a communist country was still strong among the people of both countries, Abdul Razak succeeded in dispelling the stigma through many transparent meetings and discussions with Chinese leadership, as well as with other regional countries.

The issue of power balance, which was also emphasised by Malaysia's foreign policy after trade relations made Malaysia always respected by China.

"China is not a new country for Malaysia. Trade relations that have existed since the time of the Malay Sultanate of Malacca make it a traditional relationship giving Malaysia a significant advantage, not to mention that China is also known as a maritime country with a great maritime power in Asia.

"Therefore, Malaysia continues to build relations through the concept of openness. As the first country, Abdul Razak is also understood to have met with Indonesian President Soeharto first, expressing Malaysia's intention to establish diplomatic relations with China.

"This seemingly indicates that Indonesia remains a friend to Malaysia and does not sideline other neighbouring countries. Moreover, Malaysia's step to establish diplomatic relations with China was subsequently followed by other ASEAN countries," he added.

AFTER THE GOLDEN JUBILEE

The "benefits" enjoyed by both countries as a result of the 50-year-old relationship built are seen to be rapidly growing, especially in the past 25 years.Mohd therefore said that this symbiotic relationship is still and will continue to be relevant for many years to come in lifting bilateral relations between the two countries, especially improving cultural diplomacy and the tourism sector."We should take advantage of this technology capability and seize it well so that Malaysia can continue to compete in the technology field at the Asia level."In education, we can see an increase in the number of students from China coming to Malaysia. They bring back experiences and knowledge about Malaysia

"This is an important long-term investment for the continuation of good relations between the two countries," he added.

From trade to education, this friendship is able to provide added value to both countries in the future.

The story of Malaysia-China relations is an example of how friendship built on mutual respect and trust can lead to mutual prosperity, which now spans over half a century.

-- BERNAMA

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