China justifies intervention in Malaysia's internal affairs : Threat of racial riots in Malaysia's Chinatown considered a threat to China's national interest

by Ganesh Sahathevan


The Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Huang Hui Kang has made a very public visit to Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown ,also known as Petaling Street , on the eve of racial riots threatened by Muslim Malay NGOs.

He has warned Malaysia that China will intervene in Malaysia's internal affairs if there is any "infringement on China's national interests."

The Malaysiakini online news site quoted Huang:

"The Chinese government has always pursued peaceful co-existence in international relationship and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
"But with regard to the infringement on China's national interests, violations of legal rights and interests of Chinese citizens and businesses which may damage the friendly relationship between China and the host country, we will not sit by idly,"

(see full report below)

The majority of traders in Chinatown are third if not fourth generation Malaysian citizens of Chinese descent. Huang's statement implies a rather wide interpretation of what might constitute "China's national interests".

END


Chinese ambassador visits Petaling Street on eve of rally

Chinese ambassador Huang Hui Kang paid a visit to Petaling Street today on the eve of an anti-Chinese rally by Malay rightwing groups.

The rally is called in response to the authorities’ purported lack of action against traders who sell counterfeit goods there.

China is against all forms of terrorism, as well as racism and extremism which target specific ethnic groups, the ambassador to Malaysia said in a statement which he read out after his walkabout in the area known as Chinatown.

Huang said Malaysia was a country ruled by law, and therefore, everyone - regardless of ideology or stratum in society - must safeguard it.

"Nobody has the right to undermine the authority of the law or trample on the rule of law.

"The Chinese government has always pursued peaceful co-existence in international relationship and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

"But with regard to the infringement on China's national interests, violations of legal rights and interests of Chinese citizens and businesses which may damage the friendly relationship between China and the host country, we will not sit by idly," said Huang.

The diplomat visited the popular shopping area for about one hour along with the Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association.

During the Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu on Sept 16, rally-goers tried to enter Petaling Street and after a standoff, the Federal Reserve Unit used the water cannon to disperse the red shirts.https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/313484