• 3 months ago
With Malaysia-China relations flourishing for half a century, the future holds even greater promise for both countries, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Speaking at the book launch of "The Story of China and Malaysia" and a forum celebrating the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China bilateral ties on Tuesday (Aug 6), the MCA president expressed his optimism about the immense potential for Malaysia and China as they continue to strengthen their ties and explore new avenues for cooperation.

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Transcript
00:00It is an honor and a privilege to be here today for this significant occasion,
00:07the launch of the book, The Story of China and Malaysia,
00:12and a forum discussion celebrating the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China relations.
00:21This event stands as a testament to the enduring friendship and robust partnership
00:27between our two great nations.
00:30I would like to take this opportunity to honor the distinguished editors of the book
00:37that we are launching today, Dr. Huang Hui Kang and Mr. Hu Zheng Yuan,
00:46both of whom have served as former ambassadors of China to Malaysia,
00:53their contributions to Malaysia-China relations have been invaluable,
00:59and this book is a testament to their dedication and insights.
01:04Ladies and gentlemen, just for your information,
01:07Excellency Hu Zheng Yuan, after serving Malaysia,
01:13you were later promoted as Assistant Foreign Minister of People's Republic of China.
01:20During the tenure as a Chinese ambassador to Malaysia,
01:24Dr. Huang, his efforts in promoting China-Malaysia relations were unparalleled.
01:32Dr. Huang played a key role in enhancing China's investment in Malaysia,
01:38including the development of the China-Malaysia Qingzhou Industrial Park,
01:44the Kuantan Industrial Park, and several flagship mega projects
01:50such as the East Coast Rail Link, ECRL.
01:54Dr. Huang Hui Kang also made significant contributions to the education in Malaysia,
02:00including a donation of 200,000 to 11 Chinese schools to improve their facilities.
02:09Dr. Huang Hui Kang's legacy of friendship and cooperation is well recognized,
02:14and his contributions have left an indelible mark on Malaysia-China relations,
02:21earning him accolades such as Best Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia
02:27and Best Friend of the Chinese Community.
02:31Reflecting on the past five decades,
02:34our relationship has been marked by mutual respect, cooperation, and shared prosperity.
02:42From the inception of diplomatic ties in 1974,
02:46as mentioned by Secretary-General Datuk Chong Sin Boon,
02:50to our current strategic partnership,
02:53we have achieved remarkable progress across various sectors.
02:58Our economic ties have flourished with bilateral trade reaching unprecedented levels.
03:05Malaysia and China have become key trading partners united in our commitment
03:11to fostering economic growth and development.
03:15Recent collaborations under the Belt and Road Initiative, BRI,
03:19have significantly enhanced regional connectivity and economic integration.
03:26Other than that, our cultural and educational exchanges have enriched both societies.
03:34The people-to-people connections we have forged are the bedrock of our relationship.
03:42The increase in Chinese nationals pursuing education in Malaysia
03:46During the COVID, I still remember, it was around 9,000 citizens or 9,000 people from the PRC to study here.
03:57And today, we have more than 40,000.
04:01Just a time span of more than two years, slightly more than two years.
04:05And this illustrates the strength of our educational ties.
04:10I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Datuk Pham Chit Singh
04:15for his lifetime dedication to education.
04:18I am aware that APU is collaborating with Guilin University of Technology in Guangxi Province
04:25to establish a joint institution in China in the field of computing.
04:31This initiative, poised to be the first Sino-Malaysian joint institution in Southeast China,
04:39is a significant milestone in our education collaboration.
04:44Congratulations, Datuk.
04:46APU's expertise in technology and engineering is highly recognised
04:52by its graduates in great demand across various industries.
04:56Kudos to Datuk Pham Chit Singh and the APU team.
05:00I would like to acknowledge the tremendous work of the APU Chinese, the China Students Association,
05:08your effort in organising this event and fostering a vibrant and inclusive community are truly commendable.
05:17Your dedication to promoting cultural exchange and understanding
05:22have played an important part in strengthening our bilateral relations.
05:28Today, we also have the Malaysia-China Welfare Advisory Society in our presence.
05:35Since its inception, the society has played a crucial role in supporting Chinese nationals visiting or residing in Malaysia
05:45by providing vital services such as legal advice, cultural guidance and community networking opportunities.
05:55These efforts have significantly enhanced the well-being of Chinese tourists and residents,
06:01fostering a sense of security and confidence.
06:05The society's recent plan to expand its services to Beijing and Guangzhou
06:11demonstrates its ongoing commitment to supporting Malaysians abroad
06:16and further strengthening Malaysia-China relations.
06:20The expansion will provide legal advice, cultural guidance and community networking opportunities
06:26to Malaysians studying and living in these cities.
06:31Their recent advocacy for a permanent visa-free policy between Malaysia and China
06:39is another testament to their commitment to strengthening our bilateral ties,
06:45boosting tourism and facilitating greater economic cooperation and cultural exchange.
06:52Looking ahead, the future holds immense potential for Malaysia-China relations.
06:58We must continue to build on our successes and explore new avenues for cooperation.
07:05The Belt and Road Initiative, for instance, presents a unique opportunity to enhance connectivity
07:12and drive sustainable development in this region.
07:16In technology and innovation, we can harness our collective expertise to address global challenges
07:23and improve the quality of life for our citizens.
07:27By working together, we can pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future.
07:33Last but not least, let us reaffirm our commitment to deepening our bilateral ties
07:41and fostering greater understanding between our peoples.
07:45Together, we can achieve even greater heights and create a legacy of peace, prosperity and mutual respect
07:53for future generations.
07:55Thank you, and I look forward to the continued success of Malaysia-China relations.
08:15For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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