00:00 [Music]
00:09 I look forward, therefore, to continue to enhance not only the bilateral relations, but also relations between our two countries.
00:22 ASEAN, as we alluded to earlier, is our top trading partner for 14 consecutive years.
00:33 For Malaysia, China remains our primary export destination, exceeding 200 billion ringgit,
00:44 growing by 9.4% to 210.6 billion ringgit, or 47.8 billion dollars in 2022.
00:57 ASEAN remains an attractive destination for international investment, charting an economic growth of 5.5% in 2022,
01:10 with a projected 4.6% in 2023.
01:16 It is therefore vital for ASEAN and China to diversify their trade investment strategies.
01:24 Notwithstanding the geopolitical tensions and a host of other destabilising factors,
01:32 our focus, our collective efforts, must be on regional peace, stability, prosperity,
01:43 and fostering bilateral and multilateral trade relations.
01:49 The ASEAN Economic Recovery Framework also gives additional emphasis on the critical micro, small, and medium enterprises,
02:03 which is integral to my country and, I believe, most of the ASEAN member states.
02:11 It contributes 85% of employment, 44.8% to GDP, and 18% to national exports in ASEAN.
02:24 I am optimistic that TECSPO will continue to serve as a catalyst to our businessmen,
02:33 fostering trade collaboration and stimulating economic recovery.
02:41 The exhibition, which I look forward to seeing and enjoying, symbolises the collaboration under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement.
02:53 We have experienced in the last decade the BRI, which has been instrumental in solidifying relations between the regions.
03:06 In Malaysia, we have even embarked on the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park,
03:17 with the two countries' twin parks concept, which is exemplary.
03:25 And beyond that, as we believe in Asia, trade, investments, as part of the fossil, remains fundamental.
03:40 But we share the shared future and the vision of President Xi Jinping,
03:47 that in our relationship is extended beyond that into what he termed as civilisational understanding and relations,
03:59 which I propose as the Madani concept.
04:04 So thank you very much, Premier Lee Cheang and our hosts, for this great opportunity and event.
04:14 And I look forward to fostering better relations in the future.
04:19 Thank you.
04:21 [Applause]
04:24 [Silence]
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