At a press conference after meeting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on August 20, 2018 on his first visit to Beijing since his election in May, 93-year Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad said he supports free trade as long as it’s fair. He said “You don’t want a situation where there’s a new version of colonialism happening because poor countries are unable to compete with rich countries in terms of just open, free trade,” Mahathir said. “It must also be fair trade. Then I support free trade together with Prime Minister Li because I think this is the way to go for the whole world.” Mahathir had earlier on August 20, given an interview to the reputed Chinese financial publication Caijin.

(Comment: In July, Mahathir's government suspended the East Coast Rail Link, which was being built by China Communications Construction Co. with an estimated price tag of 81 billion ringgit ($20 billion).