00:00This year, we celebrate a remarkable milestone,
00:11the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
00:17Malaysia was the first ASEAN country to formalise diplomatic ties with China in 1974,
00:25a move spearheaded by the MCA under the leadership of the late Tun Tan Siew Sin and the late Tan Sri Lee Sanchun,
00:35which is in tandem with the vision of the second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak.
00:45The pivotal step marked the beginning of a relationship grounded in trust, mutual respect and shared prosperity.
00:53Over the years, this partnership has evolved into one of Malaysia's most significant bilateral relationships.
01:01In 2023, China remained Malaysia's largest trading partner for the 15th consecutive year,
01:10with a trade volume of USD 190.24 billion, and this number will only grow bigger for the years to come.
01:21This reflects the strength of our collaboration, particularly under initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative,
01:29which has driven advancements in infrastructure, connectivity and sustainable development.
01:37The success of BRI 1.0 has laid the foundation for a new phase of Belt and Road 2.0,
01:46focusing on digital transformation, green energy and global supply chain resilience,
01:52and these priorities align with Malaysia's goal of presenting tremendous opportunity for both nations.
02:00Ladies and gentlemen, as Malaysia deepens its ties with China,
02:04it is natural for some to view China's involvement as a potential challenge.
02:11But let me emphasise this, China is not a threat, it is an opportunity.
02:17The global economy is increasingly competitive,
02:21and countries in the region are vying for investments and market share.
02:26Instead of viewing China as a rival, we should view them as a partner for cooperation and collaboration.
02:34Together, we can amplify our strengths, Malaysia's strategic location, resources and policies,
02:41combined with China's technological expertise and investment capacity.
02:47The ongoing trade war between major economies, particularly the United States and China,
02:52presents a unique opportunity for Malaysia to position itself as a neutral and reliable trade partner,
03:01and by strengthening our ties with China, we can attract investments,
03:05integrate ourselves further into global supply chains, and create win-win outcomes for both nations.
03:13Team promoting trade liberalisation, driving economic globalisation,
03:19this conference offers a platform to explore Malaysia's potential in transformative sectors.
03:26Distinguished leaders and experts will share their insights on various themes,
03:31including technological innovation and digital economy,
03:35Malaysia's myDigital blueprint and the rise of artificial intelligence, fintech and e-commerce,
03:42green energy and sustainability,
03:45opportunities under Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap, NETR,
03:53which focuses on renewable energy sectors such as solar, wind and hydrogen,
04:01biotech and healthcare, innovative solutions in medical technology, pharmaceuticals and research,
04:08industrial development and the halal industry,
04:12tapping into the global halal market value at at least US$3 trillion,
04:18with opportunities for halal-certified Chinese businesses to collaborate with Malaysian counterparts,
04:26and cultural and tourism exchange,
04:29strengthening people-to-people ties through education, arts and heritage preservation.
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