China should be seen as a partner, not rival, says Dr Wee

The Star

China should be viewed as a partner for cooperation and collaboration, not as a rival, says Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong.  Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 5th World Association Presidents' Conference (WAPC) on Monday (Dec 2), the MCA president emphasised that China's involvement in Malaysia presents an opportunity for growth and development, rather than a threat.  Read more at https://tinyurl.com/bddrb8wd  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

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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