Hanxin Series Features Dr. Lam Choong Wah on Malaysia’s Foreign Policy and Cross-Strait Relations

Hanxin Series Features Dr. Lam Choong Wah on Malaysia’s Foreign Policy and Cross-Strait Relations

• Oct 17, 2026

In August of this year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sparked widespread domestic and international discussion when he addressed China-Taiwan relations and Malaysia’s diplomatic stance during an interview with foreign media. Amidst the ever-changing international landscape and shifting dynamics between major powers, the question of how Malaysia navigates diplomatic balance among various nations has become a topic of significant interest.

To address this, Oneworld Hanxin College has invited Dr. Lam Choong Wah—a Senior Lecturer at the Department of International and Strategic Studies, University of Malaya—to speak at its October lecture series. Under the theme "Cross-Strait Relations through the Lens of Malaysia’s Foreign Policy," Dr. Lam will guide participants through an exploration of cross-Strait relations and the underlying logic of international politics, drawing on international relations theory and Malaysia’s foreign policy framework.

Dr. Lam holds a PhD in International Relations from Xiamen University, China, and specializes in international relations and strategic studies. The course will use the classic work *After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy* by American international relations scholar Robert O. Keohane as a theoretical starting point. It will examine how nations seek a balance between interests, cooperation, and competition when the international system is no longer dominated by a single hegemon.

The course consists of two sessions: "Malaysia’s Diplomatic Outlook After Hegemony" and "Cross-Strait Relations Outlook After Hegemony." These will be held on October 17 (Saturday) and October 24 (Saturday) from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Hanxin College.

The course will further contextualize these theories within the realities of Malaysia and Southeast Asia, considering the country's diplomatic choices amidst great-power competition and analyzing how interactions between China, the United States, and Taiwan influence regional politics.

A minimum of 15 participants is required for the course to proceed, and a registration fee of RM 40 per person applies. Interested individuals can click here (https://tinyurl.com/HanxinMsiaPolicy) to fill out the registration form. If you have any questions, please contact Hanxin College via WhatsApp at 018-9670599 or email pria@hanxin.edu.my.