PREMIER-in-waiting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Beijing last week has laid the groundwork for Chinese leaders to understand the new Malaysia better, and for him to build up guanxi with the superpower.

His visit, on the invitation of Beijing, has spurred optimism that Malaysia-China bilateral ties can become more stable and warmer, after Kuala Lumpur suspended three China-linked projects amounting to RM90bil.

Anwar’s visit included delivering a lecture on “Malaysia’s rule of law and China-Malaysia’s future” last Wednesday at the Renmin University, a top research university founded by the Communist Party of China (CPC).

He also met with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and CPC International Department Minister Song Tao during his three-day visit.

Ahead of his visit, Anwar said China was keen to hear his views on the future.

Although the newly minted Member of Parliament for Port Dickson does not hold any post in the Malaysian government, he was received by Wang on Wednesday, seen as “extraordinary” by China watchers.

“Anwar’s visit, coming between Malaysia’s recent past and its near future, offers China’s leadership and intelligentsia a chance to appraise Malaysia anew.

“It is a chance to discard whatever stereotypes they held of Malaysia when they dealt with (Datuk Seri) Najib (Tun) Razak’s regime,” says Dr Khoo Boo Teik, a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo, Japan.

Dr Khoo, also a former lecturer of Universiti Sains Malaysia, notes that Malaysia has begun to transform its social structure, political system, state institutions and business environment to turn the country into a better “new Malaysia” after the Pakatan Harapan coalition ousted Najib’s government in the May 9 general election.

“Anwar had a catalytic role in this transformation. From here he will advance reforms that he and many others have promised and demanded for twenty years,” Dr Khoo adds in an interview with Sunday Star.

For China, which has scant knowledge of Anwar, listening to Anwar in person is definitely a good start to understanding this resurrected politician, who had been jailed for years.

Generally, there is apprehension over this 71-year-old future leader, who has a history in Islamic activism.

Ahead of his visit, Anwar had urged Beijing to recognise the rights of the Uighur Muslim community, particularly their right to freedom of religion and movement.

“China has learnt the lesson of not engaging with non-governmental organisations in the past, hence understanding Malaysia’s future leader is very important to our leaders,” says Dr John Lee, an associate professor at Beijing’s University of International Business and Economics.

Before the May 9 election, China only dealt with officials in power and Beijing firmly believed that the Barisan Nasional led by Najib – who was close to Beijing – would be re-elected to govern Malaysia.

Dr Lee, in Kuala Lumpur last week, tells Sunday Star: “This visit of Anwar can be exploratory. It will help Anwar to formulate policies on China.

At the same time, it should have the effect of promoting understanding and friendship, as well as laying the groundwork for future foreign policies.”

According to sources, both Beijing and Anwar are keen to get to know each other better.

Before Anwar’s “unofficial” visit, other leaders who had visited China included DAP’s adviser Lim Kit Siang, Deputy Trade and Investment Minister Dr Ong Kian Meng, Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok and Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.

With China advancing fast to overtake the US to become the world’s largest economy by 2030, it is clear that no savvy leader in the world would ignore China.

China’s rapid economic development and progress in technology, as well as its Made-in-China 2025 master plan and Belt and Road Initiative, will have significant impact on the world.

Indeed, countries that used to be hostile towards Beijing have been forced to embrace China now.

However, China-Malaysia relations have taken a twist under the new government headed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Although Beijing’s top leaders had accepted reasons for Malaysia’s cancellation of the projects, public opinion in China has generally turned negative against Malaysia.

The 35%-50% plunge of tourist arrivals from China during their Oct 1-7 national day golden week holiday stood testimony to the adverse sentiment in the Middle Kingdom.

Dr Mahathir’s government has suspended work on the East Coast Rail Link, seen as a vital project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and two gas pipelines.

Apart from stating that Malaysia could not afford these projects due to its high national debt of RM1 trillion inherited from the Najib government, Dr Mahathir had revealed the doubtful contract terms and dubious payments.

Cancellation of these controversial projects aside, what angered the Chinese the most were the illogical comments made against other China-linked projects, such as those on Forest City and the protective wall of Alliance Steel.

“People like us who go to China often for business will know how one-sided the public opinion is against us: the new Malaysia is a country that does not honour contracts. Hence, Anwar’s trip is timely and we hope he will help improve ties,” says Datuk Bong Hon Liong, former president of Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce.

In his 30-minute talk at Renmin University, Anwar touched on bilateral relations.

He said both countries could engage in more cooperation, such as in artificial intelligence and robotic technology, besides just infrastructure projects.

“China’s growth is legendary – it can be a great partner in development,” reported Beh Yuen Hui, China correspondent of The Star.

“Anwar’s Beijing visit is seen by many as a move by Malaysia to reconcile with China following Putrajaya’s decision to review several major China-linked projects,” added Beh in Beijing.

In his meeting with Wang, Anwar pointed out to his host he had chosen China to be the first country to visit after he won the Port Dickson by-election, which paves the way for his ascent to the premiership in 2020.

After stating that both he and Dr Mahathir are for closer bilateral ties, Anwar said he wanted to strengthen ties with China further.

Wang stressed that China has always regarded Malaysia as an important strategic and long-term partner.

For both countries, the undisputed reality is: Malaysia needs China economically, and Beijing needs Kuala Lumpur’s support in international issues.

For nine consecutive years, China is the biggest trading partner of Malaysia.

Last year, total bilateral trade was close to US$100bil (RM415bil), according to Chinese data.

But since the cooling of relations, China has bought less palm oil from Malaysia.

It is no longer “buying palm oil without upper limit” as it had promised to the previous government.

This is seen as one of the key reasons for the continuous fall of local palm oil prices.

Investments from China into Malaysia, used to be fast and furious in the past three years, have reduced to “wait-and-see” status.

Cumulative Chinese investments in Malaysia in recent years, ranging from infrastructure, construction to industries, services and banking, are estimated to be RM500bil.

So far, top leaders of China have not reacted to statements made on Chinese projects.

“Beijing is aware that there is a political pact that Dr Mahathir will step down in two years. Hence, it just has to be patient with the present leaders,” says a China observer.

In addition, there is still great respect for 93-year-old Dr Mahathir, given that the latter has the stature as Asia’s eldest statesman and has sided with China on many international issues.

However, a reminder that Chinese nationals were hurt was seen in an editorial on Aug 28 in Global Times, the mouthpiece of the CPC.

“Strengthening cooperation is the best choice for both sides to optimise China-Malaysia relations. But Malaysia should be reminded that many words of Kuala Lumpur can cause different reactions among the Chinese public,” said Global Times’ editorial.

Beneath the calm facade, there are reasons to China’s tolerance.

Although Malaysia is a small country, its location alongside the Malacca Strait – plied heavily by Chinese liners and oil tankers – has given the small country a strategic edge.

And faced with aggressive attacks from the US in the US-China trade war and provacative actions of the US in South China Sea, Beijing certainly does not want to create a new enemy in the region.

Under the guise of “freedom of navigation”, the US has carried out frequent close-in air and sea surveillance against China.

Washington and Tokyo are also establishing strategic alliances with some Asean members by providing military assistance, equipment and holding joint military drills.

These military ties are seen as aiming at China.

The Belt and Road Initiative of China has also encountered numerous setbacks after the cancellations of rail projects in Malaysia and other Asian countries.

“Beijing looks at the bigger picture: China-Malaysia relations must stay intact. Hence, it has exuded a lot of patience towards Malaysia. Everybody can see this,” observes Bong.

But China’s nationals did show disgust with Kuala Lumpur.

By avoiding Malaysia during China’s peak holiday season early this month, they had sent out a punitive message.

Hence, for this year, Malaysia is unlikely to meet its 2018 target to get three million Chinese arrivals, which translate into foreign exchange earnings of RM20bil. Last year, about 2.28 million Chinese came.

But the content of Anwar’s visit has brought some positive feedback home.

“We view Anwar as friendly and his meetings with our leaders as amicable,” said a diplomatic source from China.

During Anwar’s visit, the Chinese had a surprise when Anwar took a swipe at the US for starting a trade war aiming at China, given that Anwar was close to the West and ignored China when he was deputy prime minister in the 1990s.

It might be a relief to see a moderate Muslim in Anwar when he said at the talk: “A vast majority of Muslims, one billion of them, want peace. There is no sense in being religious if we don’t believe in peace.”

By now, Beijing should know that Malaysia’s stance will not vary: China will still be regarded as a friend and an important partner in trade and economic development.

With Anwar’s emphasis on the real economy, rule of law, good governance and clean government, tackling poverty and reducing inequality in his academic talk, this may serve as good guide for future investors.

Dr Khoo applauds China’s early move to get to know the reformist leader.

He says: “Anwar is no longer young but historical accident gave him close rapport with the younger generations. To know Anwar better is to know those others who will reshape Malaysia.”