KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed the one-China principle in a recent interview with Al Jazeera, saying that "Taiwan is part of China."

When asked about the Taiwan question, Anwar said the one-China principle has been widely accepted worldwide.

If one province of Malaysia decides to break away, "I think I will protect the sanctity and unity of the nation," he said.

Malaysia and China established diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974. In a joint communique signed that day, Malaysia recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, and acknowledged that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. Malaysia has since repeatedly reaffirmed its adherence to the one-China principle.