Malaysia poised to be middle power, international conflict mediator

Malaysia can play a significant role as a middle power and mediator in international conflicts, according to a prominent global political science expert. Professor Li Cheng, Director of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World at the University of Hong Kong, noted that despite its size, Malaysia's strategic position and experience equip it to contribute to global peace efforts.

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Malaysia and China both benefit from globalization. The rise of China and Malaysia happened concurrently, and both countries can cooperate to play an important role in creating regional and global peace and prosperity.

Cheng emphasized that Malaysia benefits from globalization, with its rise paralleling China's. He expressed hope that both nations could share their successful development experiences with other countries, including Western nations and the Global South. Malaysia, he observed, demonstrates wisdom in balancing international relations without aligning with any major power, while maintaining firm stances on universal issues like the environment, nuclear arms control, economic inequality, and shared global interests.

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I hope Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and other countries can leverage educational cooperation not just for commercial reasons, but to shape thinking, understanding, and global peace and prosperity.

He also stressed the importance of higher education in strengthening international understanding and contributing to world peace. "I hope Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and other countries can leverage educational cooperation not just for commercial reasons, but to shape thinking, understanding, and global peace and prosperity," Cheng stated.

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The changes in the global higher education landscape are happening. If in the past the center of higher education excellence was in Germany and then shifted to the United States, now in the last 20 to 30 years, the focus has increasingly shifted to China.

In line with this, Malaysia's Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, announced the approval of a formal annual bilateral meeting between Malaysia and China on higher education. The first meeting will be held in China this year, with Malaysia hosting the following year. Zambry noted the shifting landscape of higher education, with focus moving towards China, and expressed Malaysia's desire to explore more cooperation opportunities with China while maintaining global relationships.

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We want to continue exploring more cooperation opportunities, especially with China, while maintaining good relations with higher education institutions around the world.