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.
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