China to enhance bilateral trade with Malaysia

China is willing to enhance its bilateral trade connectivity with Malaysia and is open to more Malaysian products competing in its market, says Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian (above).

He said areas which the two governments could further discuss include finance and high-value agriculture.

"We can also tap into new industries and the new form of businesses such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence and hi-tech, building new ‘growth points’ for our bilateral cooperation,” he said in his remarks at the Belt and Road China-Malaysia Forum on People-to-People Exchange and Economic Cooperation today.

Bai Tian noted that China was also open to deepening the people-to-people exchanges with Malaysia by building richer collaboration in areas such as think tanks and media dialogue, students exchange, human resource training, tourism and sports, to share experiences and learn from each other.

He described the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the context of China-Malaysia as creating “opportunity,” which saw the establishment of the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park and the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park.

“Often referred to as the ‘Two Countries Twin Parks’, both of them are advancing steadily.

“The East Coast Rail Link just got relaunched, and it will prove to be a catalyst for the development in the states along the route in many areas such as trade, logistics, tourism and industrial parks,” he stated.

On tourism, Bai Tian said the BRI had brought the opportunity for both Chinese and Malaysian people to know each other better, and in the last three years, almost three million Chinese tourists had visited Malaysia.

“Next year, we will also celebrate the China-Malaysia Year of Tourism and Culture, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020.

“The Chinese Culture Centre, which will open later this year, aims, among others, to ensure the bond of common interests between China and Malaysia, enhance the understanding and friendship between our peoples’, and give a fresh and strong impetus to the China-Malaysia relations in the new era,” he added.

Meanwhile, senior director of strategic planning at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, John Patrick Antonysamy said this year marked the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China.

“This will pave the way for more productive economic cooperation between our two countries.

“It does not stop there as other countries will also benefit from the enhanced land and sea connectivity, as well as infrastructure development that is currently in-progress,” he said.

He noted that to remain relevant and competitive in today's digital era, Malaysia must make sure that its human capital is well trained and ready to embrace and adapt to new technology and employment.

He also pointed out that as there were more than 120 countries along the BRI, there was huge potential to boost economic growth by exploring new markets in these countries.

“E-commerce can be the conduit to make this a success,” he added.

- Bernama