KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysia and China celebrate nearly 50 years of diplomatic relations, their decades-long relationship can only get better moving into the future, said the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia. The Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing, said economic and trade cooperation between the two countries reached new highs this year.
“This year marks the 48th anniversary of the establishment of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations. With the joint efforts of both sides, China-Malaysia relations have witnessed more and greater achievements at an accelerated speed.
“It will surely continue to develop in a healthy and stable manner.
Trade volume from January to August between China and Malaysia this year reached US$131.2bil, witnessing a 21.2% year-on-year increase.
“Of the RM87.4bil foreign direct investment approved by Malaysia in the first half of this year, China’s share amounted to RM48.6bil, accounting for 55.6%,” said Ouyang, in his speech during the 73th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China celebration event organised by the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia here.
Ouyang said the Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Malaysia last July helped break new ground for further cooperation between both countries. The two sides have agreed to work together towards building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
“This is further enrichment to the China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership. It will open up broader prospects for cooperation between the two countries,” said Ouyang.
The ambassador said both countries have made good strides, especially during the pandemic, which had resulted in many students not being able to travel.
“Progress has been made in sending Malaysian students back to China to resume studies, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides.
“So far, more than 1,000 Malaysian students have successfully returned to China,” said Ouyang.
He also said that the China-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will have been in place for 10 years by 2023.
“I believe, with support and help from all of you, we will surely help to push the well-grounded China-Malaysia relations and generations-old friendship to new heights,” said Ouyang.
Present at the event yesterday were Senior Minister of Education Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, Deputy Education Minister and deputy MCA president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun.
Representatives from government and business circles, Chinese companies in Malaysia, as well as foreign envoys, were among those who attended the event.– The Star