00:00Kim Chuan, the Chairman of Malaysia-China Peace Council, MCBC, for his welcoming address.
00:07With the recent completion of the negotiation for the upgrade of ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement 3.0,
00:17nine new chapters were introduced, such as digital economy, green economy, supply chain interconnection,
00:26competition and consumer protection, small, medium and micro enterprises, economic and technical cooperation.
00:41It had further deepened our long-standing ties built on mutual respect and shared growth.
00:50Today, ASEAN and China are each other's largest trading partners, with rapid growth in trade and investment.
01:01China has remained the largest trading partner of ASEAN for 16 consecutive years since 2009,
01:10and ASEAN have also become China's largest trading partner for the last five years since 2020.
01:22In this global supply chain network, China remains with her as a global manufacturing and trade powerhouse
01:32and acts as a critical link in international trade.
01:39Meanwhile, ASEAN nations like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are rising at competitive production hub,
01:51navigating geopolitical pressures and strategic economic rivalry between two global major powers,
02:03whilst strengthening economic ties with China.
02:07Malaysia-China Business Council is literally honoured to host today's forum and roadshow
02:16to promote the third China International Supply Chain Expo,
02:21organised by CCPIT, which will be held in China in Beijing from 16th July to 20th July.
02:31So this expo serves as a crucial platform for global suppliers and various inventors
02:39to connect with and integrate into China's extensive supply chains network.
02:48Equally important, it is not limited to large corporations only.
02:56It opens out meaningful opportunities for SME across the region to participate,
03:02thereby promoting greater inclusivity, strengthening residencies and advancing sustainable growth.
03:14As ASEAN Chair this year, Malaysia is well positioned to lead regional integration,
03:22drive residencies supply chains and unlock new opportunities in key industries,
03:29such as semi-conductors, digital economy, renewable energy, EV, EV batteries and pharmaceuticals.
03:42Our location and capabilities made us an ideal hub for global manufacturing and supply chain hub.
03:51This enables us to capitalise on the ongoing deconfiguration of global supply chains,
04:00including reshoring and frank-shoring of foreign investment under China's plus one,
04:08China's plus two and China's plus three strategies.
04:13This morning, we are not just talking about trade.
04:16We are talking about something far bigger.
04:20How can we build a more resilient, more connected and more forward-looking supply chain
04:28in a world that is constantly changing?
04:31Malaysia and China share a long-standing and meaningful partnership.
04:36For 16 years running, China has been our largest trade partners,
04:43but the relationship has gone beyond trade statistics.
04:46It is a relationship rooted in the shared aspirations for development, technology and innovation.
04:55As we look ahead, the partnership needs to evolve,
05:00and it is evolving from transactional exchanges to transformational corporations.
05:06We are no longer just exchanging goods.
05:10Instead, we are starting to exchange ideas, talent and innovation.
05:14Ladies and gentlemen, this brings me to a key pillar of today's discussion, innovation.
05:22I am proud to share that in the latest GII Global Innovation Index 2024,
05:29Malaysia has climbed from 36th to 33rd place globally.
05:34This is no small feat, and it signals to the world that Malaysia is serious about building an innovation-driven economy.
05:44The progress didn't happen by chance.
05:47It is the result of intentional policy, investments in R&D,
05:53and a strong public-private push to make Malaysia a regional hub for high-tech growth.
05:59But we know we cannot stop here.
06:02To keep moving forward, we need the right partners,
06:05and China, with its immense capabilities in advanced manufacturing, AI, green technology and more,
06:14is undoubtedly one of them.
06:17We often say Malaysia is at the heart of ASEAN,
06:20not just geographically, but economically and strategically.
06:24Our diverse talent pool, multi-lingual capabilities, and pro-business environment
06:31make us a natural partner for any enterprise looking to expand into the region.
06:37At the same time, China brings incredible technological capacity and skill.
06:43When we put our strength together,
06:46China's innovation at scale,
06:48Malaysia's agility and connectivity in ASEAN,
06:51we can build not just a strong supply chain,
06:55but smart and sustainable ones.
06:58Ladies and gentlemen,
07:00at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, MOSTI,
07:03our mission is clear.
07:05To ensure that science, technology and innovation
07:08become the engine of Malaysia's future economy.
07:12We are investing in areas like the hydrogen economy,
07:16AI, robotics and semiconductors,
07:19not just to keep up with global trends,
07:23but to lead in shipping them.
07:25We have rolled our initiative,
07:28like the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap, HETR,
07:32and are currently preparing the National Semiconductor Strategy,
07:37both of which open doors for deeper partnerships with China and the region.
07:41These efforts are aligned with the Malaysian Madani government vision,
07:47which guides us to build a nation that is sustainable,
07:51innovative, compassionate and resilient,
07:54both economically and socially.
07:56Like the
08:19participants cancel into the international community.
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