Embracing the Dragon's Sphere? Malaysia's Diplomatic Identity and Engagement with China in the U.S.-China Rivalry
Author
Cheong, Reagan
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-05-27
Pages
67
Abstract
This thesis examines how Malaysia's foreign policy identity shapes its engagement with China amid growing U.S.-China rivalry. It looks beyond what Malaysia stands to gain and asks how the country's self-image guides its diplomatic choices. The study uses a constructivist approach, which emphasizes identities, norms, and values rather than only material interests, together with International Cooperation Theory. In simple terms, it explores how relationships are built and maintained through shared expectations, repeated interactions, and institutional rules. Method: Critical Discourse Analysis of political speeches, interviews, and official statements from Malaysia, China, and the United States between 2023 and 2025. Findings show that Malaysia's diplomacy is not driven only by economics, security, or strategic hedging (keeping options open between major powers). It is anchored in a constructed identity grounded in Global South solidarity, non-alignment (not taking sides), and ASEAN norms (regional practices and rules). Malaysia's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and BRICS illustrates cooperation mechanisms based on reciprocity (mutual give-and-take), iteration (ongoing dealings), international regimes (agreed rules), and asymmetrical engagement (working with a stronger partner while protecting its own interests). The thesis also examines how others view Malaysia's stance: China generally sees Malaysia as a reliable partner, while U.S. perspectives are more cautious and strategic. Overall, the study deepens understanding of how smaller non-Western states use identity in diplomacy and how they can cooperate without binary alignment in great-power rivalries.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan Malaysias udenrigspolitiske identitet former landets samarbejde med Kina i en tid med tiltagende konkurrence mellem USA og Kina. Den ser ikke kun på, hvad Malaysia kan vinde, men også på hvordan landet opfatter sig selv, og hvordan det selvbillede guider diplomatiske valg. Studiet anvender en konstruktivistisk tilgang, der lægger vægt på identiteter, normer og værdier frem for kun materielle interesser, sammen med teori om internationalt samarbejde. Kort sagt undersøges, hvordan relationer opbygges og vedligeholdes gennem fælles forventninger, gentagne interaktioner og institutionelle rammer. Metoden er kritisk diskursanalyse af politiske taler, interviews og officielle udtalelser fra Malaysia, Kina og USA i perioden 2023-2025. Resultaterne viser, at Malaysias diplomatisk adfærd ikke kun drives af økonomi, sikkerhed eller strategisk hedging (at holde muligheder åbne mellem stormagter). Den er forankret i en konstrueret identitet baseret på solidaritet med det Globale Syd, ikke-tilslutning (ikke at vælge side) og ASEAN-normer (regionale praksisser og regler). Malaysias deltagelse i Bælte- og Vej-initiativet (BRI) og BRICS illustrerer samarbejdsmekanismer baseret på gensidighed, løbende interaktion, internationale regimer (aftalte regler) og asymmetrisk engagement (samarbejde med en stærkere partner, mens egne interesser beskyttes). Afhandlingen undersøger også, hvordan andre ser Malaysias position: Kina betragter i høj grad Malaysia som en pålidelig partner, mens amerikanske perspektiver er mere forsigtige og strategiske. Samlet set giver studiet en dybere forståelse af, hvordan mindre ikke-vestlige stater bruger identitet i diplomati, og hvordan de kan samarbejde uden at indgå i binær tilpasning til én side i stormagtsrivalisering.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords