China and Malaysia are deepening their partnership through significant infrastructure projects and enhanced cultural exchanges, paving the way for a shared future.
The construction of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a major rail project under the Belt and Road Initiative, is progressing swiftly in Malaysia, with 60 percent completion achieved by March. Upon completion, the ECRL will enhance connectivity between Malaysia's less-developed east coast and the economic heartland on the west coast, fostering more balanced growth.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized China's commitment to advancing key projects like the ECRL and the \"Two Countries, Twin Parks\" project during his meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. This collaboration aims to expand trade and investment and promote extensive cooperation between the two nations.
Ong Tee Keat, president of the BRI Caucus for Asia Pacific and former Malaysian transport minister, highlighted in a recent article that China's partnership model, characterized by amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, offers a refreshing alternative for multilateral cooperation in Southeast Asia. Malaysia remains a key beneficiary of the Belt and Road Initiative, with China maintaining its position as Malaysia's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years and Malaysia being China's second-largest ASEAN trading partner.
Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anwar reached an important consensus on building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future. During Premier Li's visit, both countries agreed to accelerate this initiative, maintain close high-level exchanges, and deepen cooperation across various sectors. They also committed to promoting the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and concluding negotiations for the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area version 3.0.
Strengthening People-to-People Bonds
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, commemorated as the \"China-Malaysia Friendship Year.\" Over the past five decades, people-to-people bonds have significantly tightened between the two nations. In 2023, Malaysia welcomed approximately 1.4 million Chinese tourists, ranking Chinese tourists among the top six inbound groups. The recent visa-free travel waiver has further boosted exchanges, with Tourism Malaysia Director-General Manoharan Periasamy optimistic about reaching over 5 million Chinese tourists.
During his visit, Premier Li also called for deeper cultural exchanges in areas such as culture, tourism, and education, as well as increased interactions between the youths and at the subnational levels, to further facilitate personnel exchanges between China and Malaysia.
Reference(s):
China, Malaysia to step up building a community with a shared future
cgtn.com
