DECADES OF GOOD RELATIONS: Former premier’s visit to China in 1974 first step in lasting friendship
KUALA LUMPUR: IT was a historic moment for Malaysia and China when both countries officially commenced diplomatic relations four decades ago.
On May 28, 1974, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the country’s second prime minister, led a 44-member Malaysian entourage for Peking (now Beijing) to formally establish bilateral ties between the two nations.
The six-day visit, which Razak described as a “journey of goodwill”, also aimed to garner support for a proposal to declare Southeast Asia a zone of peace and neutrality.
He had said of the historic visit: “After the doubt and differences which have existed in the last two decades, I am going on a journey of goodwill, to sow the seeds of mutual understanding and trust between Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China”.
It was a meaningful event for both nations. Malaysia became the first country in the region to effect social ties with China.
The visit had earned praise from all political parties in Malaysia, including from the opposition.
It was reported that the then Pas president, the late Datuk Mohamed Asri, said the objective of making Southeast Asia a neutral zone could not be realised without the cooperation of big powers such as China.
Even prior to the visit, China had offered a warm welcome to Razak and the Malaysian delegates, as was reflected through a front-page editorial by the Chinese Communist Party’s organ, the People’s Daily, which featured a picture of Razak wearing a songkok (headgear).
The daily in its report said the people of China “enthusiastically” welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
The daily had also quoted the New China News Agency as saying: “The proposal put forward by Malaysia to make Southeast Asia a zone of peace and neutrality has won the sympathy and support of many countries in the third world.”
The momentum continued when Razak and his entourage arrived in Peking. They were accorded a grand welcoming ceremony, attended by China’s former vice-premier Li Hsien-nen and other Chinese officials.
The Malaysian delegates later proceeded to a state banquet hosted by the then China premier Zhou En-Lai, where both leaders expressed their countries’ commitment to help each other.
While Zhou announced China’s support for Malaysia’s proposal to make Southeast Asia a peace zone, Razak pledged that his administration would intensify efforts to bolster ties between both nations.
Asia Magazine had reported that Razak attended a 90-minute meeting with China’s prominent leader, chairman Mao Tse-Tung, during the third day of his visit to the republic.
The meeting was a success when the two countries issued a joint communique formally establishing bilateral relations between the two nations.
A few hours after his return to Malaysia, Razak attended a rally at the Selangor Club field and declared his visit to China a success.
During the rally, which was held to brief the people on his mission to Peking, Razak also announced a public holiday for the country and that China had recognised Malaysia’s independence and sovereignty. Additional reporting by Qistina Hamizan
-NST
