Malaysia-China Relations Reach New Heights
KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) — Relations between Malaysia and China have reached an all-time high, driven by deepening diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people ties, said Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama).
Growing People-to-People Ties
Wong attributed this to China’s openness in facilitating travel, particularly its visa-free entry for Malaysian tourists, which has "encouraged more Malaysians to visit China and strengthened people-to-people ties."
Economic Cooperation
Malaysia is keen to further strengthen its cooperation with China in the digital economy, green economy, infrastructure development, and artificial intelligence to enhance trade, investment, and technological collaboration. "China has made tremendous strides in AI, and we definitely want to benefit from this progress," he said.
Infrastructure Projects
On the economic front, Wong underscored Malaysia’s substantial gains from its strong partnership with China, citing infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and advancements in the automotive sector. "Malaysia is about to complete the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a result of Malaysia-China cooperation under the BRI," he noted. He also pointed to Malaysia’s first domestically produced electric vehicle, developed through collaboration with Chinese automakers, as an example of how bilateral cooperation continues to yield tangible benefits.
ASEAN-China Relations
Malaysia has also benefited from China’s infrastructure investments, with Wong highlighting Indonesia’s high-speed rail project and Malaysia’s ECRL as prime examples of ASEAN nations leveraging China’s expertise in large-scale development projects.
Shared Prosperity
As Malaysia and China continue to strengthen their relationship, Wong stressed the importance of fostering mutual economic prosperity and finding ways to expand cooperation. "There are many issues that cannot be resolved overnight, but we have to move on. The fastest way is to focus on positive values," he said, adding that this approach aligns with China’s "Shared Prosperity" principle.
Cultural Exchange
Wong highlighted China’s growing influence in global cultural exports, particularly through its animation industry. He cited the success of ‘Ne Zha 2’, an epic Chinese anime film, as an example of China’s ability to project its "soft creative power" to the world.
Two Sessions
When asked about China’s high-level opening-up policies and measures that will impact ASEAN and Malaysia, Wong highlighted the significance of the ‘Two Sessions’, referring to the annual plenary meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which set China’s policy direction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the relationship between Malaysia and China is at its all-time high, driven by deepening diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people ties. As ASEAN Chair this year, Malaysia is keen to strengthen its cooperation with China in various areas, including digital economy, green economy, infrastructure development, and artificial intelligence.
FAQs
- What is the current state of Malaysia-China relations?
Answer: Malaysia-China relations have reached an all-time high, driven by deepening diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people ties. - What are the key areas of cooperation between Malaysia and China?
Answer: Key areas of cooperation include digital economy, green economy, infrastructure development, and artificial intelligence. - What is the significance of the ‘Two Sessions’ for ASEAN and Malaysia?
Answer: The ‘Two Sessions’ refer to the annual plenary meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which set China’s policy direction and will impact ASEAN and Malaysia.