Malaysia's pivot towards China is pragmatic but not without risk

IN September last year, China's ambassador to Malaysia found himself in a delicate spot over his remarks that his country rejects any form of extremism and racism ahead of a mostly Malay "red shirt" rally in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown against Chinese traders there.

The rally idea was abandoned but the diplomat's remarks appeared to have ruffled some feathers, including those of the ruling party Umno's youth division, who accused him of interfering in Malaysia's domestic affairs.

That is all water under the bridge now with Sino-Malaysia ties set to reach new highs as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is on his first official visit to Beijing in two years.