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Opinion | Xi and Anwar’s commitment to build trust between civilisations portends a better future
- Anwar’s Malaysia Madani and Asian renaissance vision chime with Xi’s Global Civilisation Initiative and proposed community with a shared future
- In a deeply divided world facing emerging threats, the leaders’ shared commitment is significant
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In their recent meeting in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed the strong ties between their countries. Importantly, both leaders appear to share a mission to build civilisational bonds in an increasingly fragmented world – a crucial endeavour with far-reaching consequences for how humanity deals with the challenges confronting the 21st century.
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Anwar’s Malaysia Madani vision aims to, among other things, promote an inclusive, pluralistic Malaysia, an objective his predecessors also reached for. But, unlike them, Anwar had waited nearly a quarter of a century for the opportunity to lead the country. For his supporters, this is a moment of destiny, where the reformist leader could finally realise a truly united Malaysia.
In his 1996 book, The Asian Renaissance, Anwar espoused a vision of Asia’s great philosophical and religious traditions uniting to promote the common good. As a moderate Muslim leader, he engaged in inter-civilisational dialogue with Confucian ideas, and sought to build bridges between East and West. In Anwar’s sanguine world view, humanity possesses an inherent spirit of resilience and determination to pursue the greater good.
Meanwhile, China has risen to reclaim its place on the global stage. In 2013, to articulate China’s aspirations as a major world power, Xi introduced the concept of a community with a shared future, a vision where nations engage with each other as equals in pursuit of common prosperity.
A deep faith in the potential of humanity underpins the world view shared by Xi and Anwar. At their recent meeting, they agreed to collaborate in their civilisational endeavours, citing Xi’s recent proposal, the Global Civilisation Initiative.
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Xi’s presidency is also characterised by a sense of historic significance as he embarks on an unprecedented third term that is expected to have an extensive impact on China and the world. Last month, Xi played a critical role in moderating a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran that is likely to have far-reaching consequences on the Middle East and broader Islamic world.
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