Key facts
- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the suspension of investment talks with Malaysia at a November 10, 2026 news conference.
- The negotiations had been scheduled for late October 2026 before Taipei paused them.
- Spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei said the pause was to safeguard sovereignty, economic security and Taiwanese investors' rights.
- Anwar said in an August 2026 Al Jazeera interview that he saw Taiwan as part of China.
- Malaysia's government said it remains a reliable destination for hi-tech manufacturing, per the primary report.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on November 10, 2026 that Taipei had suspended bilateral investment negotiations with Malaysia, according to Malaysiakini and the Taipei Times. The talks had been scheduled for late October 2026.
Ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei said at a news conference in Taipei that the suspension was intended to safeguard national sovereignty, economic security and the rights of Taiwanese investors after remarks by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar told Al Jazeera in an August 2026 interview that he saw Taiwan as part of China, and when asked whether he would condemn China's use of force he compared the situation with Malaysia, saying he would also try to prevent a state from separating.
The ministry condemned the remarks at the time, saying Anwar had implied Taiwan was a separatist Chinese province and had rationalized China's stance on taking Taiwan by force. Hsiao said Taipei is continuing to communicate with Kuala Lumpur and hopes Malaysia will recognize the investment relationship and mutual trust, creating an opportunity to restart the talks. Malaysia's government has said it remains a reliable destination for hi-tech manufacturing, according to the primary report, which describes the suspension as raising concern over semiconductor investment in the country.
Malaysiakini reported that bilateral trade in goods between Malaysia and Taiwan totaled RM233 billion last year, describing Malaysia as Taiwan's fourth-largest trading partner.