COMMENT | In today’s increasingly polarised global landscape, small and middle powers face growing pressure to pick sides in the rivalries between major geopolitical blocs.

For Malaysia, a country strategically located in the heart of Southeast Asia, navigating this high-stakes environment requires a delicate balance between maintaining national sovereignty and leveraging the benefits of global partnerships.

This balancing act was brought into sharp focus during the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, hosted by China in Tianjin on June 25 and 26, 2025.

The summit, centred on counter-terrorism, regional stability, and economic integration, reflected the SCO’s broader agenda, one that aligns with...