KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has described China as a neighbour for "almost 2,000 years," arguing that Southeast Asian nations should strengthen ties with Beijing rather than submit to President Donald Trump's trade war tactics.

In an interview with Bloomberg's Mishal Husain, the politician who turned 100 yesterday painted China as a benevolent regional power while warning that Trump's protectionist policies would ultimately damage America more than the rest of the world.

"The fact is that China is a neighbour and has been a neighbor of Malaysia for the past almost 2,000 years," Dr Mahathir said, emphasising the deep historical relationship between the two nations.

He contrasted China's approac...