China and Malaysia avoid clash but Mahathir wants 'fair trade'

93-year old prime minister rides high-speed train in first visit after comeback

20180820N Mahathir Li

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, left, shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang following their meeting in Beijing on Aug. 20.

OKI NAGAI and TAKASHI NAKANO, Nikkei staff writers

BEIJING/SINGAPORE -- China and Malaysia played up their bilateral ties during a visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to Beijing on Monday, choosing to focus on trade and other shared interests as China seeks to enlist its neighbors in the trade war against the U.S.

But Mahathir warned that he did not want a "new version of colonialism," and that trade between the two countries must be fair.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.