Tianjin, China – At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Plus Summit in Tianjin, Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, delivered a powerful address, endorsing China’s newly proposed Global Governance Initiative while calling for urgent action to address global inequalities and ongoing atrocities.
Speaking at the summit chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Anwar highlighted the SCO’s advancements in economic connectivity, public health, security, and energy transition, noting their alignment with Malaysia’s priorities and ASEAN’s broader goals. He expressed strong support for President Xi’s Global Governance Initiative, describing it as a timely response to a faltering multilateral system. “The United Nations no longer carries even the aspiration to reform itself,” Anwar said, pointing to a growing “shadow” between global aspirations and reality that has deepened disparities and allowed atrocities to persist unchecked.
Anwar emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to the Confucian principle of Chung Yung—a balanced path rooted in justice, compassion, humanity, and cooperation. He stressed that these values must translate into practical action to rebuild trust in the international system, which he criticized for failures in trade, financial architecture, and climate change responses. “There is today a deficit of trust,” he said, highlighting the disconnect between lofty declarations and the suffering of the masses.
Reflecting on the upcoming commemoration of the Chinese resistance and the end of World War II, Anwar called for a renewed rejection of aggression, colonialism, and oppression. He drew parallels to ongoing conflicts, particularly condemning the “atrocities in Gaza and Palestine, where innocent children are murdered with impunity.” He also pointed to suffering in Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq, lamenting the world’s helplessness in addressing these crises.
Anwar’s remarks underscored Malaysia’s push for a reinvigorated multilateral framework and concrete steps toward global justice. The Prime Minister’s speech has sparked discussions about Malaysia’s role in shaping a fairer international order as the SCO Summit continues.