TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A few days before the sudden dissolution of Malaysia's parliament, TVBS conducted an exclusive interview with former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on his views toward cross-strait relations and the U.S. tense relationship with China.
The former prime minister expressed his disapproval toward U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent visit to Taiwan. "It doesn't improve matters, it doesn't reduce tension. It increases tensions, and it's a provocation," he explained.
Despite their different political systems, Mahathir also believes Taiwan and China should peacefully coexist and not interfere with each other. "It (Taiwan) is the world's biggest provision of microchips, which is needed for the world," he said, adding that China should "leave Taiwan alone."
On the other hand, the former prime minister also voiced his reservations towards the U.S.'s idea of resolving cross-strait tensions. "We need to try and resolve our problems through negotiation, through arbitration, through a court of law. That is how we should tackle conflicts between nations."
Under the current tense relations between the U.S. and China, and China and Taiwan, Mahathir stands tall on his personal conviction to optimize the strengths of smaller nations.
